Pat Cash: Roger Federer will be the man to beat in 2018

[KINGROGER]

Fed's play has dropped markedly since Wimbledon. No reason it shouldn't, he's 36. Nadal's play has improved for most of the year.

Had they faced I suspect Nadal would have won quite comfortably.

Fair enough. I happen to think despite his physical problems that Fed loves playing Nadal now because he returns so deep and gives a lot of short balls.

I don't think Nadal is playing that much better than he was in Miami where he looked good before he faced a quality opponent. It just so happens this year the biggest threats to him mugged it up before facing him. Ironic.

 

[Gary Duane]

No chance Djoker returns with a vengeance and becomes the man to beat in 2018?

I didn't say that. If Nadal is #1 at the end of the year, he's the man to beat. That doesn't say that he's going to be #1 in 2018 any more than Murray ended up #1 in 2017.

 

[Julian Houston]

TBH i don't see Nadal hitting freely like he did in US Open for many more tournaments. Using a lot of power and against mugs. The players are not fit enough to return his shots and grinding back. We will see how Rafa deals with a player who grinds with him, now the Rafa wants to end points using Moya's knowledge of the fast era in tennis.

 

[slice bh compliment]

Interesting poast^
I see this, too. Gives hope for next year.

Fed would have put up a better fight than Delpo. Of that I am certain.

I agree. But i am not certain. I got the impression Roger felt delpo would do a better job against nadal than Roger himself.