Australian Open: Roger Federer's Coach Has A Message For Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic

While Roger Federer has insisted that Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will surpass his Grand Slam record tally of 20 titles, his long-term coach Severin Luthi has sent out a warning to Federer’s opponents.

Keeping in mind the current run of Nadal and Djokovic, Federer recently admitted that the duo will win more and he is excited to see how much more. While Djokovic has 16 singles Grand Slam titles to his name, Nadal is just one win away from equalling Federer’s 20.

In a recent interview, Luthi said he believes there is still a lot of tennis left in Federer, who should not be written off so soon. Luthi added that the Swiss master still is capable of adding a few more titles to his tally of 20.

“I really think that he can still win Grand Slam titles himself. If he can play into a tournament, anything is possible. He showed that here in 2017. Back then, too, he played very well in training, like now. Training meanwhile means a little more to him than before because he plays fewer tournaments. But he was always a big match player. And that's what ultimately counts,” Luthi said in an interview with Swiss publication Tages Anzeiger.

It is also being said that Federer’s future at the Australian Open, which is currently underway in Melbourne, and subsequent tournaments of 2020 will depend on how promising young talents such as Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas perform. As tennis needs the current generation to step up, Luthi does not believe the conversion will take place this year in the Grand Slams.

“If I had to type, I would say, not this year. Until you have accomplished and proven this, you have not yet achieved it. You should never underestimate big champions and have the feeling that they are now passed through to the back. There are always excellent players who always have someone facing triumph. As Nadal did in Paris with one exception. [But] you never know,” former Swiss player Luthi further added.

Djokovic won his second round comfortably in straight sets against Japan's Tatsuma Ito, whereas Federer and Nadal will be in action Wednesday at the Australian Open.