'Roger Federer'game evolved to compete with Djokovic, Nadal' - Wilander
In an interview to Tages Anzeiger, the seven-time Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander commented on how Roger Federer's game evolved over the years. 'I think that in the last years he developed so much that he can compete with Djokovic, Murray and Nadal', said Wilander. 'But now other players who hit the ball stronger come. It's like about surviving against them, and if they have a big day they stop you. This is how it works with the generational change.'
Wilander also commented on the court condition: 'If balls were a little faster, he would probably have delivered his serve easier. It would have made him feel free in the return games or from the baseline. But it was difficult. And yet he was broken just once.'
Novak Djokovic dropped off two sets at the Australian Open overall so far, against Denis Shapovalov in the third round and Daniil Medvedev in the fourth. Wilander believes that the Serb is the favourite to win his seventh crown in Melbourne. 'Also because (Rafael) Nadal has more problems with such conditions', said Wilander in an interview with Tages Anzeiger. The Spaniard is yet to lose a set in the Grand Slam. 'To Djokovic, it does not matter, because he always plays the same - flat with the backhand, he never makes errors and topspin with the forehand', Wilander continued. 'However, even he can be upset by younger guys. Khachanov made it in Paris, as well as Zverev in London. Guys can do it because they hit the ball stronger and if they lose, they do not care. The older generation does not play tennis this way. For Roger, it's a difficult development. But he can make another change? I do not know it.'
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from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2DvXjBo
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