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More success for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
2016 was the last time where neither Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal won a grand slam title. The question is will this happen again in the new year?
Federer, who is the oldest player in the top 100 at the age of 37, faces a testing start to the season with the defence of his Australian Open title looming next month. During the swing down under, he has a total of 2000 ranking points to defend. Working out as more than 700 points more than any other player in the top 20.
“I hope that again it will be the start of a great season for me, because the last two seasons have been crazy good for me,” Federer said ahead of his appearance at the Hopman Cup.
“I would never have imagined that kind of return. I’m just very happy things are going so well.
“The Hopman Cup is a good place for me to start the season with, and I’m hopeful that’s going to be the same again this year.”
This year Federer has won four titles on the ATP Tour to bring his career tally to 99. The second highest of all time. However, a closer look uncovers some interesting areas. Leading into the ATP Finals, his final tournament of 2018, Federer had only won two out of six matches against top 10 opposition over a 10-month period.
“I think with my age people know that if I did something extraordinary … that would be amazing,” the 20-time grand slam champion explained.
“And if that didn’t happen, maybe it’s logical you can’t produce that tennis every year.
“You also maybe need a bit of luck, and the draw to fall your way. A lot of things need to happen to win any slam, for also the top four guys.”
Federer has proven throughout his career to be extraordinary on the court, but it remains to be seen how much longer the age-defying Swiss player can keep it up for.
Another injury comeback for Nadal
King of clay Nadal has endured a roller-coaster past few months. Knee and abdominal injuries have kept him out of action since the US Open. Then in November he underwent minor surgery on his right ankle.
Nadal featured in the World Tennis Championships this week, but suffered a disappointing run. After losing in three sets to South Africa’s Anderson, he skipped the third place play-off. Opting instead to take some more time off ahead of the new season.
“I will not play,” he said of the decision. “I will take a couple of days off ahead of the new season.”
“This tournament, it was a goal to be here. I am very happy to have been here.”
Despite the withdrawal, the world No.2 is confident of getting back on track sooner rather than later. Aiming to to return back to full fitness ahead of the first grand slam of 2019 in Melbourne, Australia.
“I want to do things step by step. I spent more time on the court than I thought,” he said.
“I am not making steps back, just steps forward all the time, taking care of my body after a while without having a chance to be on the court and trying to do things slowly.
“It’s important for me to protect the body and to avoid tough circumstances.
“I know I have time to be ready for Melbourne at 100 per cent.”
Nadal’s next test will be at the Brisbane International, where he is the top seed. Granted a bye in the first round, he will start his campaign against either Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or a qualifier.
As for adding to his grand slam collection, in Nadal’s case it all depends on if his body will hold up long enough.
