Federer tips Nadal to win Australian Open

MELBOURNE - Defending champion and 16-time grand slam winner Roger Federer has tipped Rafael Nadal to win the Australian Open this year, as the World No.1 chases history.

Nadal is in the quest to become the first man in 42 years to hold all four grand slam crowns simultaneously.

Federer, who is in great touch this year winning a tournament victory in Doha, said: “He should be favourite. He’s holding the three slams. I hold this one still, but just.”

“Of course, I won the World Tour Finals (last November), I’ve been playing really well on the hard courts right now, but he’s been the one dominating the slams,” The Age quoted him, as saying.

“He’s had hardly any tough matches in the last three slams. That makes him the favourite, I don’t have any problems not being the favourite really,” Federer said.

“I hope it’s on him, he deserves it, he’s world No.1, he’s going for four in a row, I always knew that is going to be big news … it’s unbelievable what Rafa’s been able to do. … He’s going to for sure be ready for this, I’ll follow it very closely. If I get a chance, I hope I can stop him obviously,” he said.

Nadal however shrugged off the favourite’s tag. “No. For sure no. Every tournament is completely different. I’m going to try my best to play well … but I for sure am feeling less favourite than him (Federer) and not more favourite than (Novak) Djokovic, (Andy) Murray, (Robin) Soderling, these kinds of players,” he said.

Murray and Djokovic, who have been practising together, could not split Nadal and Federer when asked for their tips. (ANI)