Nadal the Open favourite: Federer

Defending Australian Open champion Roger Federer has anointed Rafael Nadal the
favourite for this year's event and says the world No.1 deserves the limelight as he
chases grand slam history.
While 16-time grand slam winner Federer is in impeccable touch, having started the
year with a tournament victory in Doha, the Swiss great says that formline is
trumped by Nadal's triumphs in last year's final three majors.
Nadal's quest to become the first man in 42 years to hold all four grand slam crowns
simultaneously - which would mean Federer going a full year without one for the
first time since 2003 - earned the Spaniard favouritism, the Swiss star said.
"He should be favourite. He's holding the three slams. I hold this one still, but
just," Federer said.
"Of course, I won the World Tour Finals (last November), I've been playing really
well on the hard courts right now, but he's been the one dominating the slams.
"He's had hardly any tough matches in the last three slams.
"That makes him the favourite, I don't have any problems not being the favourite
really."
Federer, for so long the focus of the tennis world while building his record
collection of grand slam titles, did not begrudge Nadal his turn in the spotlight as
he attempts the "Rafa Slam".
"I hope it's on him, he deserves it, he's world No.1, he's going for four in a row,
I always knew that is going to be big news ... it's unbelievable what Rafa's been
able to do.
"... He's going to for sure be ready for this, I'll follow it very closely. If I get
a chance, I hope I can stop him obviously."
But, unlike Nadal, who is recovering from illness, Federer's own preparation has
been ideal.
"My game is exactly where I want it to be before the Australian Open. That's all I
can really ask for."
Nadal shrugged off the favourite's tag.
"No. For sure no," Nadal said.
"Every tournament is completely different. I'm going to try my best to play well ...
but I for sure am feeling less favourite than him (Federer) and not more favourite
than (Novak) Djokovic, (Andy) Murray, (Robin) Soderling, these kinds of players."
Murray and Djokovic, who have been practising together, could not split Nadal and
Federer when asked for their tips.
"Every time we play, you know, they take my game as well to another level. They make
me play better," Djokovic, the 2008 Open champion, said of the world's best pair.
Murray, runner-up to Federer in last year's final, said if Nadal could clinch his
fourth straight slam it would rate as one of sport's greatest achievements.
"And I really hope he doesn't do it," the Scot said with a smile.



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