Roger Federer tips Novak Djokovic to win Australian Open
20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has tipped Novak Djokovic as the favorite for the Australian Open 2019. Federer, who will be going into the season's first Slam event as the defending champion, feels he is a top 10 contender. The Swiss tennis ace will be taking a week off before gearing up for the event. Here's more.
Federer wins Hopman Cup alongside Belinda Bencic
Federer successfully defended the Hopman Cup with partner Belinda Bencic on Saturday. The Swiss pair beat Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber in the final. This was Federer's third Hopman Cup title. The Swiss maestro feels that Novak will start the Slam event as the favorite, despite crashing out of the Qatar Open in the semis. Novak was beaten by Roberto Bautista Agut.
'No doubt about it, Novak is the favorite'
"No doubt about it, Novak is the favorite. Regardless of what happened in Doha, the game had a super, super strong last five or six months of the year. With his class, once he gets his groove back he is hard to beat," said Federer.
I'm part of the 'usual suspects' bunch: Federer
When asked about his chances in the Australian Open, Federer said that he is one of the top 10 favorites alongside several other players. "I am one of the top ten favourites. So are many others. We don't know the draw yet. I don't know my first-round opponent. We know who the usual suspects are and I'm part of that bunch."
Australian Open: Federer goes in as the defending champion
The Australian Open will kick-off from January 14 onwards. Federer has won the title in the last two seasons. He has won three Slams in the last two years. Meanwhile, Novak won the Wimbledon and US Open 2018 and goes in as the outright favorite.
