Seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander has made a surprise prediction about the future of Swiss legend Roger Federer.
Wilander, a former World No. 1 himself, has claimed that 19-time Major winner Federer will remain a threat in the biggest tennis tournaments even in his forties.
Federer won the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2017 to maintain his three Grand Slam advantage over his arch-rival Rafael Nadal of Spain to remain on top of the leaders’ board as far as the winners of Slams are concerned. He is the overwhelming favorite to defend his Australian Open title in Melbourne, particularly when all his main rivals are struggling with injuries.
And Wilander insists Federer will be a force to reckon with for the next four years.
“I think he can play for another two or three years but maybe he could still be dangerous in the Grand Slams when he’s 40 years old,” said Wilander.
“I think he’ll play fewer and fewer tournaments every year as he knows now he doesn’t have to play tournaments to win a Grand Slam because of what happened last year with the Australian Open.
“With his style of play, his talent and the way he works – he works much harder than people realise – I think he can at least be a danger in Grand Slams until he is 40.”
“I believe that [the problem for] younger players is that there are very few 20-year-olds who are as Lleyton Hewitt was or Rafael Nadal was or Novak Djokovic was or Andy Murray was,” Wilander added.
“I think we are most probably over-coaching these kids at an early age where once they get on the professional tour, they have to solve the problems themselves on court and you have to live like a professional.
“They don’t get to learn by themselves.
“They are taught and when you are taught, you don’t create your own path, your own lifestyle, your own beliefs.
“It takes them a few years on tour to understand what they need to do to accomplish what they want.”
