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Rafael Nadal injury could clear 2018 path for Roger Federer

By Harry Floyd

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain shows his dejection in his quarter-final match against Marin Cilic of Croatia on day nine of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain shows his dejection in his quarter-final match against Marin Cilic of Croatia on day nine of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Rafael Nadal is out of the Australian Open after withdrawing during the fifth set of his quarterfinals match. Now, the path could be cleared for Roger Federer.

Rafael Nadal enters the 2018 ATP World Tour as the world No. 1 in men’s singles tennis. Right behind him is Roger Federer. The two swapped Grand Slam titles in 2017 and both came out to a roaring start at this year’s Australian Open.

It is Federer, however, who remains alive at Melbourne Park. The kicker is that if Nadal’s injury is more serious than expected, Federer could go on a stellar run in the coming months.

Already out for several months is former world No. 1 Andy Murray. The British tennis star underwent surgery for his ongoing hip injury.

Splashing out of the Australian Open to South Korean up and comer Hyeon Chung was Novak Djokovic. The Serbian superstar is reassessing his current elbow injury. If Nadal’s injury is serious, there is no doubt that Federer can retake the top ranking on the ATP World Tour sooner rather than later. The Swiss great also appears to be in fantastic playing shape so far in 2018. He remains alive right now at the Australian Open and enters a quarterfinals matchup with Tomas Berdych.

Rafael Nadal’s injury can shakeup the ATP Top 10.

If the Spanish superstar will need to miss any time due to injury, Federer is not the only one he should worry about. World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov had a strong showing at the Australian Open before falling to Kyle Edmund in his quarterfinals match. Dimitrov is the current ATP Finals champion and appears poised to have another career year in 2018. The Bulgarian tennis star is off to an impressive start this year. He and world No. 4 Alexander Zverev have proven that they belong alongside any opponent.

Next: Top 10: Men's Singles Tennis

All eyes are on Rafael Nadal in the coming days. He will have an MRI and examine the extent of his injury. The world No. 1 appeared visibly uncomfortable at the start of his fourth set against Marin Cilic. The Croatian tennis star would cruise through the fourth set and start the fifth on top before Nadal’s withdrawal. Stay tuned to see how the world No. 1 fares in the coming weeks and if Federer can catch him in the men’s singles rankings.

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