Former World No. 4 Tim Henman has said both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have a huge problem on their hands as the celebrated pair will struggle to maintain their supremacy on the ATP tour if they overburden themselves by playing too much tennis in the years to come.
Henman, a former 6-time Grand Slam semifinalist, believes that the Spanish and Swiss superstars will face a stiff challenge and in fact could be in a big dilemma about their respective schedules for the 2018 season.
While Nadal is training at his home in Manacor, Federer is preparing for his 2018 campaign at his base in Dubai. The 10-time French Open winner is expected to participate in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi from December 28 and Roger will be travelling to Western Australia to play in the Hopman Cup in Perth starting from December 30.
Nadal, a 16-time Major champ, pulled out of the ATP Finals with a persistent knee issue. The taxing 2017 season took a toll on his great rival Federer as well as he was beaten by David Goffin in the semis of the year-end championships.
The duo will be the main contenders for the Australian Open in January after splitting the four Grand Slam titles in 2017.
And Henman insists that overcoming the rigors of a long season is the ultimate challenge for a top player.
Henman told Express Sport: “That’s what as a professional tennis player, you are incredibly aware of.
“The season really is 11 months of the year. You try and have a little bit of a break, especially if you reach the ATP World Tour Finals.
“You get about 10 days of probably doing nothing then you’re back in pre-season, the physical training then back on court.
“It’s an incredibly short turnaround.”
