Roger Federer won't win a Grand Slam in 2019

According to the uncle and former coach of long-time rival Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer will not win a Grand Slam next year. 

Over the past 14 years, the 37-year-old Federer and Nadal, 32, have dominated Slam tournaments, alongside Novak Djokovic, 31.

Following the defeats of both Federer and Djokovic by Alexander Zverev, 21, at the ATP Finals, Toni Nadal feels the new generation of tennis players have made a "quality leap".

"I find it hard to see Federer raising another Grand Slam trophy," he said.

Having won the Australian Open in January to extend his all-time men's record to 20 Grand Slam victories, Federer has however, struggled to maintain that form throughout the rest of 2018.

"I do not say it for his game, although I do say it for the toughness of the five-set tournaments," Nadal added

"I have to confess that I said that on other occasions and the Swiss, repeatedly, surprised me."

This year, both Federer and Nadal world number one, before Djokovic won Wimbledon and the US Open to end 2018 on top.

After the weekend, Zverev is back up to fourth, with his performances forcing 57-year-old Nadal, who retired as his nephew's coach at the end of the 2017 season into a rethink.

"For some time I had my doubts about whether the youngsters would be able to overcome the game of Federer on grass, the one of Djokovic on fast courts and the one of Rafael on clay," he said.

"And I had the impression that the change would be caused rather by the decline of some than by the attack of others. The final in London has made me think about it.

"For now, for the coming year, I trust in the full physical recovery of Rafael. I feel new episodes of his rivalry with Djokovic and, in general, a more open panorama with the definitive incorporation of the new generation."