Federer can become oldest World No.1 in Rotterdam

Melbourne: 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer is on verge to become the oldest player to claim world number one spot in the men's tennis history after he accepted the late wildcard to play in next week's ATP event in Rotterdam.

Federer, who has agreed to play in the Dutch hardcourt event for the first time since 2015, currently sits on the second spot in the world rankings.

He is just 155 points behind old-rival Rafael Nadal, with 180 points up for grabs if he makes it to the semi-finals in the Netherlands.

Nadal, on the other hand, is currently recovering from a thigh injury he sustained during the Australian Open and is not slated to make a return to the tennis court until the Mexican Open in late February.

Talking about his participation in the tournament, Federer said, "The tournament is special for me. I remember playing for the first time in 1999 as it was one of the first events where I got the chance to play at the highest level."

Meanwhile, tournament director Richard Krajicek said that it is tremendous to have Federer playing in Rotterdam, especially after he won a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title last month with a five-set victory over Marin Cilic.

"After his fantastic result at the Australian Open, it is tremendous news that he will be joining us in Rotterdam. It is crowns to the celebration of the history of our tournament.The last 12 months have shown his tremendous drive. It makes perfect sense that he wants to capitalise on his current form," news.com.au quoted Krajicek, as saying.

It should be noted that USA's Andre Agassi has held the record as the oldest world number one in the men's player history since achieving the feat aged 33 years and 131 days in 2003.


source: news agency

Rafael Nadal signs on for Queen's challenge

LONDON: World number one Rafael Nadal has confirmed he will play in the Wimbledon warm-up event at Queen's Club later this year.

Nadal has missed the grass-court tournament in west London for the last two years after suffering a wrist injury in 2016 and then prioritising rest after his French Open victory in 2017.

But the Spaniard, who won the Queen's title in 2008, intends to participate in this year's event, which begins on June 18.

"I am very excited to communicate that I am going to come to Queen's in 2018," Nadal said.

"It is going to be the 10th anniversary of my victory in 2008, it's a great memory, winning there and three weeks later winning Wimbledon.

"It was an unforgettable year. I am very excited to be coming back and playing Queen's again."

Nadal's best performances at Wimbledon have always come after he has played at Queen's.

He reached the Wimbledon final five times between 2006 and 2011, winning in 2008 and 2010, and making the quarter-finals at Queen's prior to each of those appearances at the All England Club.

Stephen Farrow, Queen's tournament director, said: "We are delighted that Rafa is planning to return to The Queen's Club in 2018.

"His run ten years ago, when he won at Roland Garros, Queen's and Wimbledon, will never be forgotten.

"To see him back at the top of the world rankings a decade later is a testament to his greatness and desire to achieve even more."


Nadal was forced to retire from his Australian Open quarter-final against Marin Cilic because of a thigh injury.

But he said this week he could return to action at the Mexican Open in Acapulco at the end of the month.


Former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has a contract to play Queen's for the rest of his career and is hoping to use the tournament to mark the start of his return from hip surgery in January.


source: news agency

Uncle Toni still 'more than anything' for Nadal

MELBOURNE: World number one Rafael Nadal embarks on a new era without his coach and uncle in the players' box at the Australian Open but the Spaniard said he would always welcome advice from his lifelong mentor with open arms.

Nadal returns to Melbourne Park, where he lost a thrilling five-set final to long-time rival Roger Federer last year, hoping to continue his progress under new coach Carlos Moya.

Former world number one Moya will lead the Mallorcan's team, having helped him back to the grand slam winner's table in 2017 after a barren three years while preparing for Toni Nadal's retirement.

Toni has departed to focus on his nephew's tennis academy but Nadal said their relationship remained intimate and "easy".

"He participates as much as he wants to participate. He's my uncle," Nadal told reporters at Melbourne Park on Saturday.

"He's more than anything else. That's it. Everything that he wants to do with me, I am happy with, no? It's not about my decision. He has enough confidence with me, or I have enough confidence with him, to talk about anything I have to talk.

"It's difficult to explain. But it's part of my family ... He loves me. I love him. It's not about, you know, a professional relationship. It's a familial relationship.

"In terms of professional things, I spoke to him few days ago, speaking about how the life is going, how the tennis is going.

"If I have something to ask, I ask him. If he has something to tell me, he calls me and tells me. No, it's not a difficult situation. It's a very easy situation."

Nadal's preparations have added to a sense of a journey into the unknown at Melbourne Park for the 31-year-old great.

He heads into his first round match against Dominican journeyman Victor Estrella Burgos without a competitive match since he pulled out of the ATP Tour Finals with a knee injury in November.

He missed warmup events in Abu Dhabi and Brisbane but had an exhibition match at the Kooyong Classic and another practice match with Dominic Thiem at Melbourne Park on Friday, complete with ball boys and a chair umpire.

The 16-times grand slam champion showed no sign of discomfort in defeating fifth seed Thiem and said he felt "good" and was "more or less" playing well.


A 17th grand slam title would bring him within striking distance of the record 19 held by Federer but Nadal said he had no extra need for motivation at Melbourne Park.

"It's impossible to be more motivated than last year or any year," said Nadal, who can only face second seed Federer in another final if they progress that far.

Source: News Agency

Nadal wants to start afresh at 2018 Australian Open

Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal has said the bitter disappointment of last year's narrow five-set loss to Roger Federer in the Australian Open final will not give him any extra motivation for this year's opening Grand Slam.

"It is impossible to be more motivated than last year or any year," the world number one told Xinhua news agency on Saturday.

"For me the Australian Open, if you are not 100 percent motivated to win this tournament, you probably don't love the sport."

Despite a stellar 2017, which saw the 31-year-old claim the US Open and a record 10th French Open title, Nadal talked down the significance of beginning the year with the No.1 ranking.

"It is better to start No.1 than No.20," the Spaniard said.

"But everyone starts from zero. I start from zero again.

Stan Wawrinka Feared For Career During Long Layoff

It's a new season, an exciting one and I hope to be healthy, competitive and, most importantly, to enjoy tennis."

"I just think about my first round... It's the first match of the year and I don't think further than that. I take it day by day as I always have."

Source: News Agency

Evergreen Federer is clear Australian Open favourite

Roger Federer is the “clear favourite” to retain his Australian Open title over an injury-riddled field when the first grand slam of the season starts next week in Melbourne, tennis analysts said.

Federer’s bid for a 20th grand slam title will be aided by the absences of Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori, as well as lingering injuries to top players who are still expected to play like Rafa Nadal and Stan Wawrinka.

But more so than the competition, it is the 36-year-old Federer’s dominant play at this month’s Hopman Cup, where he won all four of his singles matches and led Switzerland to a third title, that gives him the edge.

“He looks younger than ever,” ESPN tennis analyst and former professional Patrick McEnroe told reporters on a call on Wednesday.

“He’s moving as beautifully as ever. He’s hitting the ball brilliantly. Wins four or five matches at the Hopman Cup against high-level competition. To me, he’s the clear favourite.”

Bookmakers are also expecting the world number two to successfully defend his title.

Federer ($2.75 AUD) is the favourite to win the tournament, according to Australian Gambling, with world number one and last year’s Australian Open runner-up Nadal ($5.50) trailing him.

“He could always get picked off early,” McEnroe said.

“But based on what I’ve seen so far... I don’t think there’s anybody else that you could say is a favourite other than Roger at the moment.”

ESPN analyst and former world number one Chris Evert said his experience and smooth style of play, which has left him relatively injury-free, set him apart from the field.

“This is a guy who is so relaxed... I think that affects him mentally as well as physically,” she said.

“Mentally and emotionally, having kids, having a family, he gets away from the game. He knows how to compartmentalise really well.”

“He lets the losses roll off his back, there’s no tension there. I think he has a real joy for the game,” she said.

“That’s what makes Federer, Federer.”

The Australian Open runs from Jan. 15-28.

Source: News Agencies