Former No. 1 and current No. 5 ranked player in the world Rafael Nadal likes his chances in winning his second Australian Open crown. Nadal last won the Australian tournament in 2009 when he defeated long-time rival Roger Federer in a classic five-set finals.

The 29-year-old is coming off an exhibition event in Doha, Qatar against former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt and current No. 30 Nick Kyrgios, per The New Daily. Nadal also lost in the final of the recent Qatar Open to current world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in a score of 6-1, 6-2.

"I'm playing much better. I'm feeling strong. I'm enjoying the competition. I played a great tournament in Doha. I lost the final against a player who played better than impossible. I just accept and congratulate the opponent," Nadal said.

"I go my way and my way is really positive the couple of months, and I started the year well again and the Australian Open is an opportunity to continue competing well," he added.

The Manacor native has not won the Australian Open in six years. He retired in his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray in 2010 due to a knee injury. He lost in the quarterfinal to compatriot David Ferrer in 2011 and lost to Djokovic in a five-set classic in 2012.

Nadal did not participate in the 2013 edition due to a stomach virus and lost another final the next year against Stan Wawrinka. He also bowed out in the quarterfinals last year as he was suffering from appendicitis. The Spaniard is just happy that he's back as a top five player in the world. He slipped as low as the 10th spot last year with him struggling in the four Grand Slam events of 2015.

According to Bleacher Report, Djokovic is still the favorite to win the first Grand Slam tournament of the year with current No. 4 Wawrinka as the dark horse. Andy Murray is also touted as a threat to Djokovic's bid for a sixth Australian Open crown, but his wife is expecting their first child and fatigue are both question marks for him.

Federer is also in good form despite a surprising loss to No. 14 Milos Raonic in the recent Brisbane International tournament. As for Nadal, his confidence is back even though he has not dominated the Australian Open like he does in the French Open.

He will have to get past Djokovic, Federer, Murray and Wawrinka to win his second Australian Open crown, but the likes of Kei Nishikori and other younger players are hungrier to surpass him. The 104th Australian Open will be held from Jan. 18 to Jan. 31 in Melbourne Park.