John McEnroe: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer Still the Men To Beat

After Roger Federer winning the Australian Open and Rafael Nadal winning the remaining three Grand Slams in 2010, there was no reason for John McEnroe to think of any different scenario than Nadal and Federer dominating the game again this year.

“Federer and Nadal are two of the greatest players that have ever lived. The others are excellent players, bordering on great players, but I don’t see them breaking and winning majors,” said McEnroe.

In McEnroe’s eyes, world No. 3 Novak Djokovic and world No. 4 Andy Murray will need to improve further if they are to have any chance in breaking the Nadal-Federer dominance.

“They're going to have to add elements to their games,” the seven-time Grand Slam champ added. “Djokovic and Murray will have to work harder than ever to compete against two of the most talented players that ever played tennis.”

McEnroe is adamant that this fierce and competitive rivalry can go on for more than just one more year, and that we, as tennis fans, should not take it for granted.

“We have an inredible rivalry that hopefully will last another couple of years, a year or two more, and we can take advantage of that.”

Maybe Federer beating Nadal in the final of last year’s World Tour Finals is evidence enough that these two superstars will dominate, even if Federer is now closing in on the age of 30.

“He still seems to love to play,” said McEnroe of Federer. “He’s finished the year very strong.”

Together the Spanish-Swiss duo have won 21 of the past 23 majors, the other two going to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in 2008, and Del Potro at the US Open in 2009.

“There’s no reason to believe that Federer and Nadal are not going to be around for the next few years,” McEnroe added.

Roger Federer will go into the Australian Open as the defending champion. However, if he fails to win, it will be the first time since 2003 that the Swiss maestro will have no slam titles to his name.

On the other hand, if Rafael Nadal manages to claim the season’s opening Grand Slam, he will be the first male tennis player since Rod Laver to hold all four Grand Slams at the same time.