What to expect from Rafa at Aussie?

— -- DOHA, Qatar -- When the doors at Melbourne Park open for Australian Open business next week, of all the men in the draw, it will likely be Rafael Nadal who will reap the most contemplation.

Of vital concern to Nadal's legion of fans as well as to the game-at-large: Which Rafa is showing up?

Will it be the finely tuned Spanish conquistador who has already muscled his way to 14 Grand Slam titles with an eye on capturing a 15th at the Australian Open?

Or will it be the underplayed competitor, diminished by injury and illness to only eight matches between Wimbledon and his arrival at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open last week?

There is no denying that a right wrist injury, followed by appendicitis that required surgery in early November, took its toll. The impact was immediately seen in his first match of the year. Nadal showed stamina in securing the first set but couldn't keep the momentum going. He ended up on the wrong side of a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 first-round decision to German qualifier Michael Berrer, who never before had beaten a top-five player.

Following the loss, Nadal made a difficult admission for a competitive soul: He had no insight to offer in regard to expectations for the Australian Open.

"Now in my mind is [to] practice well, try to be ready for Australia, but knowing that [I can] go to Australia and lose early," Nadal said. "It is true if I'm able to practice well and find my rhythm, if I'm able to win a couple matches there, then anything can happen. But it can happen that I arrive there and I lose early, but I don't know."

The worst scenario acknowledged, Nadal quickly morphed back to being an athlete most comfortable in the role of a winner. Asked if it will be hard to go to Melbourne with the attitude that an early defeat is a distinct possibility, Nadal, politely as possible, bristled at the suggestion.

"I don't want to see it that way," he said, offering the questioner a defiant, one-eyebrow raised stare. "It will be hard if I will see the thing that way. I don't want to think that way. I am gonna think that I have my chances. Playing in the Australian Open never will be hard. If it's hard to go to the Australian Open, better go home and don't play tennis."

After securing the doubles trophy, Nadal appeared far more upbeat about the possibilities in Australia.

"To start the season with a title, even if it's only in doubles, is a great feeling," he said. "When you lose early in singles, it's a good way to still be in competition. A win is always a good feeling, and to have that feeling again was very positive."

"I'm going to be better prepared every day," he added. "I'm going to arrive in Australia being competitive, that's my goal. I'm doing the right things to get back to my best level."

While many might still predict a shaky Australian Open for Nadal, it's hard to ignore that he has cornered the market on impressive comebacks, always returning fitter and hungrier for success. Most recently, after a left knee injury kept him out of action for seven months, Nadal rejoined the tour in February 2013 to win 10 titles in a career-high 14 finals played that year. He captured the French and US Opens and ended the season at No. 1 for the third time in his career.

If there's one thing to count on when talking about Nadal, it's his willingness to do whatever it takes in hopes of grand rewards ahead. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic understands that and knows it would be foolish to head to Melbourne underestimating Nadal.

"We don't know how he's going to perform," Djokovic said. "He hasn't played many matches since Wimbledon. Of course, the fans are eager to see how he's going to do. It's obvious he's still not playing at his highest level, but I think that he is setting up a form for the Australian Open. That's where he wants to perform his best, and that's where he always performs his best, in Grand Slams."

True to his way, Nadal had these encouraging words for fans while in Doha: "My motivation and my hunger to keep doing the things well still the same, so I am sure that I am gonna come back to my best," he said, flashing a smile. "I hope soon."

Then he hinted at his prime goal. Doing well at Australia would be a cause for celebration, but his heart remains dedicated to Roland Garros, where the prize would be a record 10th French Open title in June.

"Anyway, I'm going to work hard to be ready for Australia, but if that doesn't happen, I'm going to keep working hard to be ready for Rio, then Buenos Aires and Indian Wells and Miami," Nadal said.

"Between the Australian Open and Roland Garros is a very important part of the season for me. Australian Open is very good motivation, but for me, after a long time not being on tour, my vision is a little bit more global because the season just starting."