Rafael Nadal admits that Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray are still favourites to win Grand Slams

Rafael Nadal is playing his best tennis since 2014 but acknowledges that top seeds Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are still the best players in the world and would enter the season's remaining three Grand Slam tournaments as the favourites. At the start of the year, the 14-time Grand Slam champion was on course to winning the 2017 Australian Open until arch rival Roger Federer made a remarkable comeback in the fifth set.

Nadal and Federer, currently in Key Biscayne, Florida for the Miami Open, recently admitted that they were lucky to advance to the final of the Australian Open after the early upsets suffered by Djokovic and Murray. In fact, many analysts reckon that fans have likely seen the last-ever Grand Slam final between Federer and Nadal. Djokovic and Murray have both pulled out from the ongoing Miami Open due to injuries.

Rafael Nadal not setting high expectations

"The year just started. We have nine Masters 1000s; we only played one. We have four Grand Slams; we only played one. We have a lot of 500 tournaments; we (have) only played couple of them. So it's true that Roger (Federer) has made an unbelievable start, and that's great. It’s true that probably Andy (Murray) and Novak (Djokovic) didn't start as well as they did last couple of years. But in my opinion, they are probably favourites because they have been there for the last couple of years playing more consistently than what we did," Nadal told reporters after his 6-4, 6-3 second round victory against Israel's Dudi Sela, via Tennis World.

Nadal is hoping to clinch his first-ever Miami Open after four finals defeats. "I think I was four times in the final, probably should have won the first one. Then, I had another good chance, in the final against Novak (Djokovic). And the other two finals, I didn't play very well. Even if I don't qualify for the final, the year that I was closer to win was the year that I got injury against (Andy) Roddick in that semi-finals.

"I was playing great that year. I thought that was my year. But in tennis is always the same. Life the same. You have opportunities. If you don't convert these opportunities, then it's tough, but I am still playing tennis and I am still here fighting for the things that motivate me. My motivation is play enough well to have chances here."

Rafael Nadal could potentially square off with ninth seed Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round, before a quarter-finals match-up against Indian Wells semi-finalist Jack Sock or third seed Canadian Milos Raonic. Nadal could potentially have to contend with Japan's Kei Nishikori in the semi-finals. And of course, there's also the likelihood of a potential finals showdown with Roger Federer.