18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert has picked Roger Federer to win the upcoming Australian Open in Melbourne.
Evert, a former World No. 1, backed Federer to claim his 20th Major crown in Australia because of multiple reasons. According to her the Swiss legend is in extraordinary form right now and it will be extremely tough to beat him on a fast court like the Rod Laver Arena. Moreover, the American also felt the 36-year-old from Basel is visibly more relaxed than ever and it would certainly help him in playing his best tennis whenever he will find himself in a tight spot during the next two weeks of the tournament.
Federer, who spent six-months out of the game in 2016 due to a knee injury made a stunning comeback in 2017. Not even in his wildest dreams he dreamt of winning the Australian Open, his first competitive event after his return from knee surgery, but eventually ended up capturing his 18th Grand Slam title in Melbourne.
Such was Federer’s play in the Victorian capital that the pundits across the tennis spectrum lauded the World No. 2 for his unbelievable dexterity on the court. The 19-time Slam champion was simply imperious throughout the two weeks of the competition, notching up victories against Kei Nishikori of Japan, his countryman Stan Wawrinka, former top-5 player Tomas Berdych and the most notable of them all, a triumph against his nemesis Rafael Nadal in an epic in the final.
Evert said: “I think this is a guy who is so relaxed. This is a guy who, because he’s so relaxed, I think that affects him mentally as well as physically. The way he plays in a relaxed way, there’s no strain. He doesn’t muscle anything. He kind of glides around. He’s so efficient. Just the way he plays, his style, I think it just doesn’t result in a lot of injuries. I think mentally and emotionally, having kids, having a family, he gets away from the game, he knows how to compartmentalize really well. He lets the losses roll off his back, there’s no tension there. I think he has a real joy for the game. That’s what makes Federer Federer.”
“There’s never been anybody like him with that attitude, as far as I know, in any sport.”
