Rafael Nadal is predicted to win a Grand Slam in 2016 than Roger Federer as analysts believe the Spaniard is getting back in his elite form.
Greg Garber and Melissa Isaacson of ESPN believe that Nadal is "slightly" more likely" to win a Grand Slam next year than a 34-year-old Federer despite struggling to win any major title this season.
Isaacson pointed out that Nadal has the edge over the Swiss Maestro because of his willingness to not give up despite the Spaniard's recent setbacks.
Isaacson wrote: "This is not to say that either Rafa or Fed will win a Slam in 2016; I don't think they will. But Nadal may be slightly more likely, if only because as much as 2015 seemed to signal the beginning of the end, he is not looking presently like a man who wants to retire very soon."
For the first time in his 11-year career, the 14-time Grand Slam winner has not won any major title in a season.
But ever since his round of 32 loss over Fabio Fognini at the US Open, Nadal had shown his elite form in the last four ATP tournaments he played this year, most recently at the World Tour Finals in London where he won all of his round robin matches before being defeated by world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinal round.
He was close to winning the title at the China Open and the Swiss Indoors after reaching the final round of both tournaments. But Nadal fell short against Djokovic in China, and Federer in Basel.
Mats Wilander, former world No. 1 Sweden tennis pro, also believes Nadal is regaining back his top form, but admitted his biggest obstacle in the search for further success next year would be Djokovic, reports All Sports.
Even his fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez thinks Nadal is poised for a bigger and better season in 2016, but has the same perspective about Djokovic being the guy to beat, with the Serb completing a remarkable season after piling up victories at major tournaments.
"With the top three guys, especially Novak (Djokovic), playing the way they are now, next season is going to be a challenge for Rafa," Lopez told the India Times.
"But he has shown what comebacks are all about earlier, and will do it this time as well."
Nadal is currently playing for the Indian Aces in Asia's International Premier Tennis League and has arrived in Manila to lead a group of tennis stars from around the world, according to the Manila Bulletin. He is set to compete in Doha next year, where he officially opens his 2016 campaign.