Roger Federer will not win another Grand Slam title, according to the uncle and former coach of Rafael Nadal.
No man has won more Grand Slams than Federer in the Open Era, with the Swiss legend clinching his 20th at the Australian Open this year.
Nadal is three behind while current world number one Novak Djokovic moved to 14 after his Wimbledon and US Open triumphs in 2018.
Despite winning the Australian Open in Melbourne at the start of the year, Federer endured a mixed season, suffering shock defeats at the next two Majors he played in.
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And Toni Nadal cannot envisage the 37-year-old lifting a Grand Slam trophy in 2019 with the next generation of players ready to make the leap.
I find it hard to see Federer raising another Grand Slam trophy, Nadals former coach said in a column for El Pais.
I do not say it for his game, although I do say it for the toughness of the five-set tournaments.
I have to confess that I said that on other occasions and the Swiss, repeatedly, surprised me.
Uncle Toni says he doubted whether the next generation were up to the challenge before Alexander Zverevs fantastic performance at the ATP Finals last week.
The German, 21, beat Federer and Djokovic in straight sets on his way to winning the biggest title of his career at Londons O2 Arena.
For some time I had my doubts about whether the youngsters would be able to overcome the game of Federer on grass, the one of Djokovic on fast courts and the one of Rafael on clay, Nadal added.
And I had the impression that the change would be caused rather by the decline of some than by the attack of others. The final in London has made me think about it.
For now, for the coming year, I trust in the full physical recovery of Rafael.
I feel new episodes of his rivalry with Djokovic and, in general, a more open panorama with the definitive incorporation of the new generation.
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More: Tennis
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Roger Federer will not win another Grand Slam title, according to the uncle and former coach of Rafael Nadal.
No man has won more Grand Slams than Federer in the Open Era, with the Swiss legend clinching his 20th at the Australian Open this year.
Nadal is three behind while current world number one Novak Djokovic moved to 14 after his Wimbledon and US Open triumphs in 2018.
Despite winning the Australian Open in Melbourne at the start of the year, Federer endured a mixed season, suffering shock defeats at the next two Majors he played in.
More: Tennis
Advertisement Advertisement
And Toni Nadal cannot envisage the 37-year-old lifting a Grand Slam trophy in 2019 with the next generation of players ready to make the leap.
I find it hard to see Federer raising another Grand Slam trophy, Nadals former coach said in a column for El Pais.
I do not say it for his game, although I do say it for the toughness of the five-set tournaments.
I have to confess that I said that on other occasions and the Swiss, repeatedly, surprised me.
Uncle Toni says he doubted whether the next generation were up to the challenge before Alexander Zverevs fantastic performance at the ATP Finals last week.
The German, 21, beat Federer and Djokovic in straight sets on his way to winning the biggest title of his career at Londons O2 Arena.
For some time I had my doubts about whether the youngsters would be able to overcome the game of Federer on grass, the one of Djokovic on fast courts and the one of Rafael on clay, Nadal added.
And I had the impression that the change would be caused rather by the decline of some than by the attack of others. The final in London has made me think about it.
For now, for the coming year, I trust in the full physical recovery of Rafael.
I feel new episodes of his rivalry with Djokovic and, in general, a more open panorama with the definitive incorporation of the new generation.
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More: Tennis
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