Borg sees Nadal replacing Federer as world number one

AFP ©

MADRID (AFP) - Swedish tennis great Bjorn Borg has tipped Spain's Rafael Nadal to replace Switzerland's Roger Federer as the world number one player in a newspaper interview published Friday.

"I believe the Spaniard will be the heir to the throne," he told Spanish sports daily AS, adding 21-year-old Nadal was "working to become a total, complete player."

Number two ranked Nadal's physically demanding style should not be a hindrance, he said.

"The same thing was said about me. That my style of play led to injuries, but I love his tennis. It's clear that he has to take care, not play too much. But he is young and he has a great future ahead of him," said Borg.

World number three Novak Djokovic of Serbia could also aspire to the top spot "but in the future", he said.

Asked if Federer could become the greatest tennis player in history, Borg said: "Ask me again in two or three years. If he doesn't have injuries and concentrates on tennis, is motivated, it is clear that he can."

"But for that to happen he must maintain his hunger for victory, for records, and that is not easy," he added.

Borg, 51, won five consecutive Wimbledon titles between 1976 and 1980, including a grueling five-set victory over John McEnroe in his last final, as well as the French Open six times.

He is in Madrid to take part in an exhibition tournament with McEnroe.</p>