Brisbane, Australia, Nov 21: Tennis great Rod Laver predicts Roger Federer's two-year Grand Slam title drought will soon end.
Federer has dropped to No.4 in the world rankings since winning his 16th and last major at the 2010 Australian Open, slipping behind Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.
Speaking at Monday's unveiling of the Brisbane International's new Roy Emerson Trophy in honor of his on-court rival and fellow-Australian, Laver said Federer's form at the ongoing Paris Masters indicates he's returning to his best.
“Federer has a chance to come back and, if anywhere, the Australian (Open) is a good place for him,” said Laver, who was world No. 1 for seven consecutive years and is the only player to have won two season Grand Slams—each of the four majors in a season.
“It seems to me he's serving a whole lot better, he's getting to the net a lot more and he's got a drop shot that works pretty effectively,” he said.
Emerson, 76, a winner of 12 singles Grand Slam titles, was adamant Federer has more major trophies to collect.
“Federer has still got some grand slams in him,” he told Australian Associated Press.
“He's an incredible player and he should have beaten Djokovic (at the U.S. Open).”
