Toni Nadal on Roger Federer: "If he comes back, it's because he believes in Grand Slam titles"
Toni Nadal and Mats Wilander agree. The return of Roger Federer also means that the Swiss can be expected even at the very big tournaments on the tennis tour.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Mar 07, 2021, 07:18 pm
The wait will come to an end next week. After a break of more than 13 months, Roger Federer, one of the - if not the - most colorful personalities in tennis in recent years, will make his comeback in the Qatar desert . And with that attack again the big titles on the ATP tour - above all, of course, in Wimbledon, when the Swiss are looking for title number nine.
Highly decorated experts on the tennis scene are also firmly convinced that Federer is still good for such a successful run even at the old age of 39. Toni Nadal, for example - the long-time companion of his nephew Rafa - still sees Federer as a potential Grand Slam champion: "If he comes back, it's only because he believes he can win another Grand Slam. He surprises everyone Year ", the Spaniard is quoted on Twitter.
As early as 2019, when Federer was thinly defeated Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, the Swiss came very close to the 21st major title, as Toni Nadal recalls. Such a successful run is certainly possible - it would not be child's play for Roger Federer either, as Nadal emphasizes: "It will not be easy, but if there is a person who is capable of it, then it is him."
"Can win Wimbledon anytime"
Another expert, the Swede Mats Wilander, still has a lot of confidence in Roger Federer on his comeback tour. For Wilander, it is above all the Olympic Games that are undoubtedly a highlight for Federer in the calendar year 2021, in which the 20-time major winner could cause a surprise: "He can still win 2 out of 3 sets against the best in the world and win the gold medal, "explains the Swede.
And for Wilander, too, it is Federer's favorite Grand Slam tournament, on his favorite surface, at which the Swiss could succeed again on the big stage. "He can also win Wimbledon and the Australian Open at any time. The French and US Open are a tougher affair," said Wilander. But before Roger Federer can get to such high points, a first assessment of the situation has to be made. On a smaller scale, at the ATP 250 event in Doha.