McEnroe sets Federer two-year target

General / Editor / 27 April 2007 / Leave a Comment

John McEnroe believes Roger Federer has to win the French Open in the next two years, if he is ever to be crowned champion at Roland Garros.

The Swiss ace has dominated the sport for the last five years, winning four Wimbledon titles, three US Opens and three Australian Open championships.

But Federer is yet to win the French Open crown - the closest he came was last year when he was beaten in the final by Rafael Nadal.

McEnroe believes the world number one's best chance of winning the clay-court title will come in the next two years and, if he can win in France, the American legend feels he will then establish himself as the greatest of all time.

Speaking to Spanish paper As, McEnroe said: "He is already one of the greats, one of the best. To say that he is the best of all time, he has to win Roland Garros and I do not see that happening in the present conditions."

McEnroe never managed to win the French title, but he feels Federer is capable of success in Paris, adding: "He can do it, that is obvious, but his game is not based upon clay.

"It will be very complicated for him and I only give him this year and the next to do it. If not, he will find it even harder. Also, there is the presence of (Rafael) Nadal."

Betfair punters expect the world's top two players to battle it out for the title at Roland Garros, with Nadal the 1.74 favourite in the winner's market while Federer is next best at 3.65.

The 2007 Specials section also has an interesting 'Federer Grand Slam' market, with traders expecting him to fall short of winning all four titles this year. 'Yes' can be backed at 6 while 'No' is available at 1.16.