Seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander believes Swiss great Roger Federer will not target Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal’s No. 1 ranking in 2018.
Wilander, a former World No. 1 has stated that Federer is unlikely to focus on regaining the top spot from his arch-rival Nadal in 2018 because he is more interested in attaining more and more Grand Slam glory rather than becoming the oldest World No. 1 in the sport.
“I’m not sure if he [will become] the oldest No 1,” Wilander said.
“I’m sure that he is now not really worrying about [the ranking] because he’s winning Grand Slams.
“Maybe towards the middle of this year he might worry about being No 1 in the world but he has so many ranking points to defend in the next few months with Australia and also Miami and Indian Wells.”
And Wilander thinks the 36-year-old’s game has evolved in the last couple of years. The Basel native’s natural progression has given him a genuine chance to fight for the biggest tournaments.
“I think that you have to allow the natural evolution of not only your game but also your personality,” Wilander added.
“Suddenly, you’re a husband and father and things change in life that means things most probably have to change on the tennis court.
“The most obvious change is always to become more aggressive and play shorter points just like Roger Federer is doing, just like Rafael Nadal is doing.
“They’re both completely different players from what they used to be. That’s the natural evolution.
“The tendency is to try and get back to what you used to do.
“But the fact is that every year the game moves in a direction of being faster and players are harder.
“In general, they get stronger and serve bigger – and you’re going to have to follow that.”
