Can Rafael Nadal rebound in 2012?

If Novak Djokovic didn't exist, Rafael Nadal probably would have had another incredible season. Only problem is that Djokovic does exist, and that's a problem. However, it's a new season, and as they say, the past is the past. Will Rafa return to the form that saw him win three Slammies in 2010, or will he again succumb to the sublime Serb?

How will the Davis Cup championship affect Nadal going forward in 2012?

Greg Garber: Not in a good way. Although Djokovic found a new confidence in leading Serbia to the Davis Cup title in 2010, vaulting him into the best season of his career, Rafa is a bit banged up, mentally and physically. After leading Spain to its third title in four years in 2011, Nadal said he would sit out this year's edition of Davis Cup. He has a sore shoulder and a bruised psyche from failing in all six matches against Djokovic and plans to rest for a few weeks after the Australian Open.

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Karim Jaafar/Getty ImagesEven though Rafael Nadal won the French Open and the Davis Cup championship, it still felt like a disappointing season.

Kamakshi Tandon: It probably won't have quite the effect winning the Davis Cup did for Djokovic, which kick-started the Serb's dominant 2011 season. Both Spain and Nadal had won the Davis Cup before, so there wasn't quite the same euphoria. And the final was played on clay, so it didn't exactly take him out of his comfort zone. If anything, the final probably hurt Nadal's preparation for the upcoming season by costing him a week of training time and forcing a surface switch in between two hard-court stretches. But winning is always better than losing, so at least he ended the season on a positive note.
Ravi Ubha: Nadal needed a confidence boost to end last season, and that's what he got in Seville. However, it probably won't lead to the season Djokovic had after he led Serbia to the Davis Cup title. For starters, Nadal says his shoulder is bothering him. If that's indeed the case, I can't see him winning in Melbourne. He might be able to get away with subpar serve speeds versus most players, but not against the true elite. Shoulder injuries can linger. And winning the Davis Cup title won't help him in trying to figure out how to beat Djokovic.
Matt Wilansky: No doubt about it. Winning fosters confidence, and that's exactly what Nadal needed -- even more than rest. We talk often about the lack of offseason in tennis, but he's had over a month to regroup, relax and rehab. That's more downtime than the average Joe gets in an entire year. Also, don't forget Nadal had to overcome mental hurdles versus Juan Martin del Potro in a four-set doozy, which clinched the tie. Does this automatically mean he'll have a Djokovic-esque year? Not at all, but it won't hurt him one bit.

Can anyone stop Nadal (even Nadal) from winning a seventh French Open title?

Garber: No. He's won an astonishing 45 of 46 matches at Roland Garros, and after this year's tournament, he'll be 52-for-53. Those who predicted he could win six or seven French Opens actually might have been too conservative. Rafa's game and historic mental strength are perfect for the grinding game needed to win on clay. Even if he's a little nicked up, he'll find a way.