Toni Nadal says Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer can eye Djokovic's No. 1 spot
In an interview to EFE, Toni Nadal was asked who according to him will end the year as a world No. 1. "The best-ranked player is Novak Djokovic, who already won a Grand Slam", said Toni. "He definitely did not play well because he lost in Miami and Indian Wells, which is unusual but he is the best ranked. The number one will be more open. There is him, Rafael, Alexander Zverev, Roger Federer and some young guys. Number one is the one who plays better throughout the year, with less issues, less injuries. The one who is in conditions to fight at the top for most of the time is number one."
Toni also spoke highly of Roberto Bautista Agut's win over Novak Djokovic: "The head to head meetings was up for Djokovic by 7-0. And in the last two times, Bautista won. In the first set Djokovic played well, he was well above Bautista, but everything changed from the second set. Despite Djokovic started leading a break, he was not hurting his opponent too much, he was not aggressive enough. Roberto's win in Doha was not casual, as well as now."
The Serb will be the favorite in future clashes against the Spaniard, according to Toni, who praised Bautista Agut's great performance. "If now they come back to play I bet for Djokovic, he is the world No. 1, but he was beaten twice. Bautista is a great fighter, and when Djokovic dropped a bit, the match got balanced. You didn't feel like the world No. 1 was better. You have to earn all the points against Roberto, and that costs a lot because you know that from the first point because you know that he will fight from the first to last point. If he does not play very well, Bautista has a down the line forehand that hurts you, it makes your opponent not be able to attack much and Djokovic did not play aggressive. Djokovic's game, when he plays well, does not suit to anyone. But Bautista does not play too high balls. And Djokovic was struggling. At this year's Australian Open final, Rafael Nadal was hitting a ball that Djokovic was comfortable with. Bautista played well all the time, you have to give credit to him. He was 5-0 down, he won a game fighting a lot and he started the second set being a break down. The match seemed to be ended. Roberto is a great player, always close to the top 10. When he plays well, he is very difficult to be
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