Tennis: Nadal wants his very own slam in Melbourne

When a shattered Rafael Nadal hobbled out of Rod Laver Arena midway through his 2010 Australian Open quarter-final with Andy Murray, few could have imagined him a year later eyeing a place in tennis history.

But in the space of four head-spinning months Nadal defied the doctors, doubters and all odds to prove that if the great Roger Federer couldn't stop him, then neither would chronic knee injuries.

At just 24, the Majorcan added a fifth French Open title to his collection in June, regained his Wimbledon crown in July and completed his Grand Slam set at the US Open in September.

Now Nadal is poised at the Australian Open to elevate himself alongside Laver (1962 and 1969) and American Don Budge (1938) as the third man to hold all four trophies at once.

The "Rafa Slam" is on.

Typically, though, one of the most intense competitors refuses to get caught up in the hype.

"For me, every day and every season start I'm going to work to be ready and be competitive to try to be in the top positions to compete to keep winning titles," Nadal said. "But the pressure for me is going to be the same. I try to play well, try to compete against everybody and try to be in the final rounds."

Federer aside, Nadal's greatest threat appears to be illness.

A fever floored the relentless baseliner last week in Doha, but he is confident no lingering effects will undermine his Open campaign.

"I'm fine," he said after arriving in Melbourne.

Not for the first time, Federer too is in pursuit of history and he has no intention of handing over the only grand slam trophy not in Nadal's possession.

The defending champion is bidding to become the first man in the 43-year Open era to have his name engraved on the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup five times and will carry "almost flawless" form into the Open.

Less than a month after upstaging Nadal in the World Tour Finals in London, the resurgent Swiss opened 2011 in triumphant fashion with a record third title in Doha.

"I thought the level of play was extremely high. I was very happy with it from my side. I was almost flawless," Federer said.

"I won five titles, won a slam last year. That obviously makes me be very positive for this year. I believe I can have another great season in 2011.

"The memories for me in Australia are very emotional, very nice. I love playing here. I like the pressure of being defending champion."

- AAP