'Federer and Nadal will end the year No.1 and 2'
A former French Open champion says the incredible resurgence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will see them finish 2017 as the top two players on the ATP rankings.
Spaniard Albert Ramos recently opened up in an interview with the International Business Times about the remarkable return to form of the tennis greats.
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"Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are probably going to end the season first and second in the ATP rankings," he said.
"The difference with the rest of the players is very big after five months of the season."
Nadal and Federer in Miami. Image: Getty
Ramos said Federer's absence from Roland Garros would be felt by fans.
"We are going to miss him in Roland Garros so much, the rivalry between him and Nadal has been fascinating so far. It has been a decision by both the Swiss and his team in my opinion.
"I think he is focusing on fast courts, where points are shorter and physical condition is not as important. Like Rafael Nadal, he has evolved his game style as well and he is hitting the ball harder.
Ramos at the 2012 French Open. Image: Getty
"He has almost won everything he has played this season so far, so his methodology is working more than well.
"Again, it is sad that we cannot watch Roger Federer playing Roland Garros but in terms of extending his career, I think it is a good decision".
Federer cited the need to preserve his body as his main reason for missing the clay-court season, instead focusing on his more-preffered surfaces at Wimbledon and the US Open.
The Swiss great has rocketed up the ATP rankings from No.17 to No.5 on the back of his stunning Australian Open triumph in January, as well as successive titles at the Miami Open and Indian Wells.
However his absence from the toyur has allowed Nadal to leapfrog him in the rankings and currently sits at No.4.
The Spaniard hasn't dropped a single set and has only conceded 20 games on his way to the French Open quarter-finals, where he is aiming to make history as the first-ever 10-time winner of a single grand slam.