Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts after winning against Russia's Daniil Medvedev during their men's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne early on ...

"It's a special Australian Open with me being the defending champion," Federer said. "Rafa going for his fourth (Grand Slam title), so obviously the focus is going to be on the two of us.

Of course I want him to be here,'" former No. 1 and two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka said. "But I see it a little bit differently. I look at it as that was his decision.

The German hopes to eventually formalize a coaching partnership with Rafa's uncle, Toni Nadal, after a successful training bloc earlier this month.

FILE - Spain's Rafael Nadal plays a shot against Germany's Alexander Zverev during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, May 27, 2024.

Nadal went 8-2 against Djokovic in the French Open — accounting for about 15% of all of Djokovic’s lifetime Grand Slam losses anywhere — and 6-0 against Federer. “What a legend.