Former World No. 1 Mats Wilander has warned defending champion Roger Federer and 16-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal about the possibility of Alexander Zverev and David Goffin upsetting them at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Wilander, a seven-time Major winner, has argued that World No. 3 Zverev and rising Belgian star Goffin could upset the applecart at the year’s first Grand Slam at Melbourne Park. According to the Swede, the two young guns have the weapons to both challenge and win against the likes of Federer and Nadal, the favorites to claim the title in Victoria.
“Obviously, Alexander Zverev has improved a lot and he looks fit and healthy,” said Wilander.
“Somebody who is as clever as he is would see the opportunity that everybody is not at 100 per cent.
“I would think Zverev is waiting in a starting position to try to grab his first major or at least have a great result.”
20-year-old Zverev was one of the most consistent players on the ATP tour in 2017, securing two Masters 1000 titles in Rome and Montreal against Novak Djokovic and Federer respectively. Nadal has already labeled him as the future World No. 1. However, Wilander asserted that Goffin could be the man who might spoil the party for Nadal and Federer in Australia.
“Goffin is one of those guys we haven’t really talked about in terms of winning a major and I have to say in terms of improvement not just physically but tactically, he is the one who has taken the biggest steps forward,” Wilander added.
“In terms of results now he reach the ATP World Tour Finals, he beat two French players in France in the Davis Cup final and beat Federer in London.
“Five sets is only going to help him, playing outdoors is only going to help him and he’s got more weapons.”
