Australian Open 2012: Will Roger Federer Surpass Novak Djokovic?

The 2012 tennis season is setting itself up to be one of the most competitive in a long time.

Novak Dokovic’s amazing 2011 season didn’t necessarily make him a clear favorite to dominate the tennis world again, as many people think.

His great performance, combined with Rafael Nadal’s “never seen before” vulnerability and Roger Federer’s first season without a major title since 2003, has led to a leveled field ahead of the Australian Open 2012. Of course, the tournament also welcomes Andy Murray and a few other threats, including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin Del Potro.

There are enough reasons to believe that the two highest expectations for the upcoming major championship down under lie on the Serbian and on the Swiss, who both stand in unique stages of their careers.

Novak definitely made history last year, having played what many considered to be the best season ever by a tennis player. He invested more than any one else in his career and improved both technically and physically, which naturally brought victories and consequently made him mentally tougher.

The way Novak dominated Rafael Nadal and the rest of the tennis world is simply remarkable. All the hard work, self-belief and deserved results translated into a season so successful that it is not likely to be repeated. That being said, it certainly and rightfully gave this great player a sense that he can accomplish anything in tennis.

Roger Federer does not and will not publicly admit that he is approaching the end of his career, although deep inside he knows this is a fact. If there is one person in the world who could not be blamed for having an ego, this person is the Swiss.

Roger will turn 31 years old in 2012 and knows that this season is probably his last chance to win another major and definitely his last chance to win an Olympic gold medal. He will take it as seriously as ever and should play every tournament as if it were his last.

In the second half of last year, despite the lack of competition from the other top four players—who were not in their best shape—Federer dominated the circuit and definitely sent a message as for what to expect from him in the 2012 Australian Open.

While the draw is not out yet, we know that Novak will be seeded No. 1 and Roger will be seeded No. 3. This could lead to a matchup either in the semis or in the big final, should they both find their way through to the late rounds.

Roger Federer was the only player who truly threatened Novak Djokovic last year, beating him in the semifinal of the French Open and miraculously not repeating it in the semifinal of the US Open.

All these ingredients and facts put together could turn a possible encounter between these two greats into an epic one. What's more, it could provide the answer to the question in the title of this article.

Will Roger Federer surpass Novak Djokovic in the 2012 Australian Open?