Why Roger Federer will dominate 2018 but Rafael Nadal could struggle - Annabel Croft
ROGER FEDERER will continue to dominate tennis in 2018 but there are doubts about Rafael Nadal and his knees, according to Annabel Croft.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are hoping to continue their form into 2018
Federer and Nadal returned to the top of the sport in 2017 - winning all the Grand Slams between them and finishing the year as world No 1 and 2.
Nadal took top spot after winning at Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows while Federer took the titles in Australia and at Wimbledon.
But Roger Federer played fewer tournament and despite winning more couldn’t catch Nadal.
Both players finished the season in disappointing fashion in London at the ATP Finals with Nadal pulling out after one match and Federer losing in the knockout rounds to David Goffin.
But Sky Sport tennis expert Croft is certain Federer will continue to rack up the titles in the new year and believes he was playing some of the best tennis of his career during 2017.
Roger Federer returned to the top of the sport in 2018
Rafael Nadal ended 2017 as world No 1 but has struggled with his knee
He’s playing with such freedom and so much choice, and what he does with opponents is he comes at them so fast and furious, he doesn’t give them time to think and it’s such beautiful tennis to watch
Although she is less sure about Nadal’s future after more injury problems.
“There’s always rumours about Rafa’s knee,” she told Express Sport.
“I’ve ready a lot of reports about him cancelling a training camp, so I think a lot with him will depend on the knee, but Federer definitely.
"I think he’s playing the best tennis we’ve ever ever seen him play.
“His movement for someone of his age, I reckon he’s moving better than we’ve ever seen him.
“He’s playing with such freedom and so much choice, and what he does with opponents is he comes at them so fast and furious, he doesn’t give them time to think and it’s such beautiful tennis to watch.
“He’s reinvigorated the construction of points with the way that he’s so aggressive: up tempo, serve-volley, attack the net, finish them off, winning points quickly it’s kind of reinvigorated that style of tennis.
“Yes he’s had some variety from Murray, the great ground strokes from the back of the court from Djokovic but the way he plays it’s made tennis really exciting again.”
Both players are hoping to make an impression next month in the first Grand Slam of the 2018 season in Australia.
Nadal has now pulled out of his first event of the year in Brisbane while Federer is preparing to play in the Hopman Cup which starts this weekend.
In 2018, the Sky Sports Action & Arena channels will show live ATP Tennis, Super League, Premier League Darts, Netball Superleague and more.