Rod Laver's shock pick for Australian Open winner

Aussie tennis legend Rod Laver has named the man he thinks will win the 2017 Australian Open, and it's not who you might think.

New World No.1 Andy Murray is in career-best form, defending champion Novak Djokovic will be desperate to get top spot back, but Laver doesn't think either of them will go all the way at Melbourne Park.

The 11-time grand slam winner reckons ageing champion Roger Federer is the man to beat.

Djokovic, Murray, Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Rafael Nadal and Tomas Berdych. Image: Getty

"Federer feels that he's up to the task of playing his best tennis and he's putting a lot of the things that could distract him behind him," Laver said on Tuesday.

"He may pull through and play some of his best tennis."

Image: Getty

The Swiss Maestro has the most grand slam titles in history (17) but hasn't tasted grand slam glory since he won Wimbledon in 2012.

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His world ranking has slipped to No.17 after a number of injuries in recent times, But Laver is tipping Federer to wind back the clock.

"I think it's a matter of situations that occur, if he gets a good draw and finds himself not playing long matches then he could be dangerous," Laver said.

Laver also dismissed any thoughts that this could be Federer's last Australian Open.

"He's going to play another couple of years. I've heard him say he thinks 2-3 more years.

"Without injuries his game could play well for a good three years."

Federer's long-awaited return after a six-month injury layoff has produced mixed results, winning his first match and losing his second in the Hopman Cup mixed team tournament in Perth last week.

With the Australian Open set to begin on January 16, Federer said he had been pleased with his preparation.

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