'Roger Federer's had a long injury that actually lasted...', says top coach

From 2016 to today, Dominic Thiem has been the only player not included in the Big 3 group to win a Grand Slam title (the US Open 2020). When Daniil Medvedev beat the competition at the Nitto ATP Finals in London, many believed that the changing of the guard was now very close. Expectations were (at least partially) not met, as the 2021 Australian Open crowned Novak Djokovic for the ninth time in his career. At Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal will be the number one favorite for the win, with the gluttonous chance to overtake eternal rival Roger Federer for the first time in the all-time Grand Slam standings. The Swiss phenomenon, for his part, will try to shoot his last cartridge at Wimbledon, where in 2019 he had collected one of the most atrocious insults of his entire career. The Tokyo Olympics are also in the sights of the 39-year-old from Basel, postponed by twelve months due to the global pandemic. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Patrick Mouratoglou - current coach of Serena Williams - analyzed in detail the prospects of the Big 3.

Mouratoglou talks about Roger Federer

"Novak Djokovic, I think it's obvious and regarding Roger Federer, for sure, he's had a long injury that actually lasted much longer than what he expected himself," Patrick Mouratoglou said. Mouratoglou made special mention of Wimbledon in this regard, while also surmising that Roland Garros would be last on the priority list of the Swiss. "He knows that he's going to be 40 this year," Mouratoglou added. "He can do anything else but focus on the Grand Slams, making his preparation completely Grand Slam focussed to give himself the best chance. It's more like Wimbledon focussed and then the other Slams and lastly Roland Garros." Patrick Mouratoglou also talked about Rafael Nadal's prospects at Roland Garros this year. "Rafa knows in order to win the Grand Slams he needs to win the other tournaments because he's always been like this," Mouratoglou said. "Every year when I'm asked about Roland Garros, I give the same answer," Mouratoglou said. "I say, 'The only thing we don't know when Roland Garros starts every year is who Rafa is going to beat in the final. Everything else... we know'." The French Open 2021 begins today. From May 24 till 28, the qualifying rounds are scheduled to take place. Following that, the main draw ceremony will be held on Friday and the first round matches will begin from Sunday, May 30 onwards. 

 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3uoQyIJ