World number three Roger Federer believes that current top-ranked player Rafael Nadal is capable of repeating the 2010 claycourt season feat where the latter swept Monte Carlo Masters, Rome Masters, Madrid Masters and Roland Garros titles.
“It’s always a tough surface to try to dominate—except if you’re Rafa—let’s put it that way. I guess it depends a lot on Rafa, If he’s able to defend everything he did last year, it’s going to be tough for anybody,” the Swiss star said.
By sweeping these major claycourt titles last year, Nadal has a lot of ranking points to defend and may lose the top ranking to either Federer or Novak Djokovic of Serbia if he performs below expectations this season.
I can take a huge step forward if I go really deep here in Monaco and also in Rome, and so forth,” Federer said.
“Clearly I don’t have much to defend at the French and Wimbledon, I’ll have some opportunities as well, especially when the Slams roll around. There’s a lot to play for us in the next three, four months. Sure, I know Rafa has a lot of pressure, but I don’t think that matters that much for him, especially on this surface. He’s so confident, he’s so good, I definitely could see him doing it again. But there’s other guys that have something to say. I hope I’m one of those guys,” he added.
