ROGER FEDERER

Roger Federer had an extremely successful 2017 campaign following the same schedule, going on to win seven titles, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Andy Murray's ex-coach Mark Petchey believes Rafael Nadal has an equal chance with Roger Federer of winning the Australian Open.

Nadal is hoping to be at his best for the tournament and wants to keep all expectations aside when he takes on Estrella Burgos in the first round.

Nadal suffered a knee injury at the end of last year which saw him pull out of the Paris Masters and the ATP World Tour Finals.

The current season will be made more difficult by the return of Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka, who missed the 2017 campaign through injury.

Djokovic returned to action in an exhibition match, in what was his first showdown in nearly six months in the victory over Dominic Thiem at Kooyong.

Roger Federer has been backed over Rafael Nadal to win the Australian Open for the second year in a row.

Roger Federer has sent an ominous message to rivals ahead of the Australian Open, stating he is fitter now than he was 12 months ago.

Defending Australian Open champion Roger Federer will begin the defence of his title against Slovenia's Aljaz Bedene.

Playing in his first match for nearly six months, Djokovic beat Dominic Theim. He afterwards insisted his troublesome elbow problems are behind him.

World number one Rafael Nadal has reflected on last year's Australian Open final loss to Roger Federer and how he handled it.

Rafa will start his 2018 campaign with 16 Slams, which is three shy of his arch-nemesis Federer who has started the year in great form.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are continuing their dominance despite being the in the latter stages of their career.

Rafael Nadal will start his 2018 campaign with 16 Slams, three shy of his arch-nemesis Roger Federer, who has started the year in great form.

Legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri has opened up on his regret of not having coached Roger Federer. He also reveals how he would love to coach the enigmatic Nick Kyrgios.

Federer and Nadal made full use of a comparatively easier challenge, claiming two Slams each to end the year as the two top-ranked players of the season.

Rafael and Toni have won everything there is to win – 16 Grand Slams, 30 Masters Series titles and two Olympic gold medals in the singles and doubles events

Djokovic has been recovering from an elbow injury that saw him miss the better part of 2017 and rendered him a doubt for 2018.

Roger Federer skipped the entire clay scene in 2017 after winning the Australian Open and reaped the dividends as he went on to win his eighth Wimbledon title.

19-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer is ready to defend his Australian Open title following his first triumph of 2018 at the Hopman Cup in Perth.

Roger Federer managed four wins in four meetings against Rafael Nadal in 2017, three of which came during the Australian Open, Miami Open and Shanghai Masters finals.