Roger Federer theory: Is this why star has knocked Rafael Nadal off of top spot?
MILES MACLAGAN has a theory as to why Roger Federer has managed to knock Rafael Nadal off the top of the ATP rankings.
Miles Maclagan has heaped praise on Roger Federer
Federer, 36, became the oldest No 1 in tennis history when he reached the semis in Rotterdam on Friday.
The Swiss legend then rounded off the perfect week on Sunday when he crushed Grigor Dimitrov 6-2 6-2 in just 55 minutes in the final.
It's the second match of the tournament that Federer has won in under an hour - he beat Ruben Bemelmans in 47 minutes - and Maclagan thinks it's the minimal time on court that has underpinned his rise.
Andy Murray's former coach told Sky Sports: "It's his second match this week that's lasted less than an hour. We're not used to that on the men's tour.
"The minimal stress on the body, the emotional stress that he doesn't have to go through because the matches are relatively simple.
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"Maybe Grigor Dimitrov wasn't 100 per cent or Robin Haase either as we saw an unfortunate incident at one stage where he had his head in the bin.
"Roger has got better and better which is absolutely remarkable to everybody. He's got back to number one but he was a contender for most improved player of the year last year. He just continues to astound us."
Federer and Dimitrov shared the opening four games before the 20-time Grand Slam champion went on to win 10 of the next 12.
Maclagan added: "It's not just the brilliant shotmaking but how he's able to stay alive in the rallies to make his opponents play another ball.
"When you're attacking you want to feel like you've got a bit of time to breathe and set your shots up but even in defence Federer doesn't give you that."
Miles Maclagan was speaking on Sky's coverage of the Rotterdam Open
ROTTERDAM OPEN CHAMPIONS
2005 - Roger Federer
2006 - Radek Stepanek
2007 - Mikhail Youzhny
2008 - Michael Llodra
2009 - Andy Murray
2010 - Robin Soderling
2011 - Robin Soderling
2012 - Roger Federer
2013 - Juan Martin del Potro
2014 - Tomas Berdych
2015 - Stan Wawrinka
2016 - Martin Klizan
2017 - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
2018 - Roger Federer