Don’t ever doubt Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal: Lleyton Hewitt - UBITENNIS

Don’t ever doubt Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal: Lleyton Hewitt

By Pawan Atri
3 Min Read
(Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer – photo via zimbio.com)

Former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt has warned the doubters of 19-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer and reigning French Open holder Rafael Nadal to write them off at their own peril.

According to the feisty Australian, the Swiss legend and the Spanish great will continue to dominate men’s tennis in 2018.

Hewitt was asked if Roger and Rafa could continue their supremacy at the top of the sport and he replied in the affirmative.

“You wouldn’t think so but I don’t know if those two are normal, especially Roger,” Hewitt said.

“At his age, he’s wound back the clock. Even against Rafa, he’s done the best he ever has against him. I wouldn’t say there’s anything those two can’t do.”

While the 2002 Wimbledon champion is putting his money on both Federer and Nadal, he has serious doubts about their biggest competitors, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, who would be back in action from their six-month injury layoffs. Neither 12-time Major winner Djokovic or Britain’s Murray have played a competitive match since July. The duo has slipped to 12th and 16th spot respectively in the world rankings.

“I don’t know if they’ll be as dominant as they were,” Hewitt said.

“For them to pick up where they left off a couple of years ago is not that easy. But I would never right those guys off. They’ve played so well in Australia in hot conditions and also in night matches on Rod Laver Arena. If they can get through that first week and give themselves a chance, then they’ll be tough to beat.”

With former Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka making a comeback after undergoing knee surgery during the summer and other prominent names like Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori sidelined with injuries, Lleyton believes Australia’s rising stars Nick Kyrgios, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Jordan Thompson have a genuine opportunity to go deep in the Open at Melbourne Park.

The two-time Grand Slam champion said: “It’s an interesting one. You’ve got (Stan) Wawrinka, (Milos) Raonic, and (Kei) Nishikori – a lot of top guys coming off an extended break from injuries or surgeries at the end of the year. So the door is open for some of these younger Aussie boys.”

Leave a comment