MELBOURNE, Australia - Asked to predict who will win this years Australian Open, Rafael Nadal takes a deep breath, shrugs his shoulders and insists it wont be him.The 14-time Grand Slam winner is back on tennis big stage after injuries and ailments sidelined him for several months. But rebuilding his confidence remains a work in progress.I dont consider myself one of the favourites here, the No. 3-ranked Spanish star said Saturday at a pre-tournament news conference. I would be lying if I say I feel that I am ready to win.Nadal remains a fixture in the elite group of mens stars known as The Big Four, along with No. 1 Novak Djokovic, No. 2 Roger Federer and No. 6 Andy Murray. He favours any of those three to win the Australian Open, which starts Monday.In terms of being favourites, the other names are more favourite than me at this time, he said during the news conference, slumped in his chair and repeatedly casting his eyes downward as he spoke.An injury to his right wrist followed by appendix surgery kept Nadal out of competition for most of the last six months of 2014, a year that also had its share of triumphs. Nadal won a record ninth French Open and three other titles in the first half of the year. And despite his subsequent absence, he finished 2014 in the top three for the ninth time in a decade.Nadals season opener at the Qatar Open earlier this month, where he lost in the first round to a qualifier, didnt help his morale. He the first to admit hes not back at 100 per cent.Asked what aspect of his game he was happiest with, Nadal replied: Nothing. He followed up with a smile but made it clear he wasnt entirely joking. No, I am not serving bad. My serve is working more or less well. I need to be a little but more dynamic on court with my movements.The big question about Nadal over the years has been his durability, and whether his body could hold up to the constant pounding of his hard-charging tennis style.Nadal did not enter the U.S. Open in 2012, part of an extended absence because of a problem with his left knee. He won the U.S. Open in 2013 but didnt defend his title because of the right wrist injury.It was the second time Nadal chose to not attempt a defence of a major title: A year after winning Wimbledon in 2008, he missed that tournament with knee tendinitis.At the start of 2015, he is reluctant to say he is fit, knowing that any match can present dangers.Is his wrist better? I dont know. I dont know, he said. I am not 100 per cent confident yet.As for his knees: I am confident about my knees because (they) are working well, he said.Another question mark is his back. He received stem cell treatment to repair cartilage in his back in November shortly after the appendix surgery.I need to take care about this for the moment, Nadal said, referring to his back. Hopefully (it) will be fine.Nadal knows how to boost his confidence. He needs to win.Every time you come back, you have doubts, you have the feeling that you are far from your best, Nadal said. The only thing I can say is I need to play better, yes. But the only way to play better is to win matches.Nadal will hope to win his first match on Monday, the third of the tournament on Rod Laver Arena, against former top 10-player Mikhail Youzhny. Joey Wendle Jersey . Sharper briefly appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court, where his arraignment was postponed until Feb. 20 at the request of his lawyers. They issued a statement saying he would be exonerated. 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Austin Pruitt Rays Jersey .Y. -- As if the worst start in franchise history isnt bad enough, Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black braced his teams win-starved fans for potentially more tough times.Arsene Wenger has defended his decision to start Alexis Sanchez in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Saturday, describing the Arsenal forward as remarkable. The Chile international played and scored twice in his countrys 3-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Uruguay last Tuesday, despite Wenger suggesting it would be suicidal to select him.Sanchez had been struggling for fitness after suffering a low grade calf muscle tear in training, and missed the World Cup Qualifier against Colombia five days before the clash with Uruguay because of the problem. Sanchez suffered a low grade calf muscle tear playing for Chile, but returned to feature at Old Trafford Despite his two goal showing for Chile, the 27-year-olds inclusion for the match at Old Trafford remained uncertain, having only reported back to training at Arsenal on Thursday.However, Wenger put Sanchez back into action and allowed him to complete 90 minutes, insisting the Chile international had the qualities to hurt Jose Mourinhos side. Sky Sports Black Friday sale Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price! Its very unusual [to play someone after that], Wenger told Arsenals official website. I chose him because Alexis is a guy who can take people on and I knew that would be a quality that would work. Hes always a player who is not scared of anybody.He is goood on the counterattack, good in short spaces as well.dddddddddddd Highlights: Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal He played very well in the first half but we didnt give him enough service in the second half because we dropped off too much and we played too many balls in our own half.We didnt give him enough support by coming out more. For a guy who played a decisive game on Wednesday morning, and then travelling after, its remarkable.Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4! Also See: Wenger responsible for Sanchez Giroud salvages Arsenal a point WATCH: Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal Wenger hails mental toughness ' ' '