Federer, Murray, Nadal demand transparent drug-testing regime in tennis

Federer said: “I think it’s very important”.

He’s regularly found out against players of this calibre – his win-loss record against his group foes is 9-37, while five previous visits to The O2 have brought four group-stage exits.

John Isner actually won more tiebreaks than any other player (40), and Benoit Paire had the best winning percentage among the top-50 in breakers (9-3, .750), but we think Stan Wawrinka is the tiebreak king.

It would clearly be whoever was matched up with top-ranked Novak Djokovic.

Federer is no slouch at the Tour Finals either, having won the tournament a record six times, but never has he he reeled off four successive titles.

Murray’s sentiments were echoed by 17-time grand slam victor Roger Federer, who feels more testing is needed to deter players from cheating.

Before the draw involving mayor Boris Johnson took place at City Hall, ATP executive chairman and president Chris Kermode confirmed that a deal had been reached to keep the finals in London for at least the next three years. Stan has put things to rights in recent years however, winning three of their last four meetings, including on Nadal’s beloved clay earlier this year, and then in two pulsating sets in Paris in similar conditions to London last week.

The Finals start at London’s 02 on Sunday, with Djokovic opening up against Nishikori, with Murray facing Ferrer on Monday. World No. 2 Murray has been drawn in Group Ilie Nastase with Wawrinka, Nadal and Ferrer. But for losing to Stan Wawrinka in the French Open final, his 2015 would have gone down as one of the greatest seasons in the sport’s history. By definition, we can say that he “upset” or “stole” those titles, though few people outside of Nebraska would argue that Andy Roddick was the better player late in 2003.

I’m still totally unconvinced about Murray’s ability to last too long at this tournament, with any tweak or niggle likely to see him pull out as quickly as you like.

Djokovic’s other two “upset” titles came in 2013 and 2008, both at the expense of years when Rafael Nadal was the best player.

They are tied at 21 wins each, with Djokovic defeating Federer in the Wimbledon and US Open finals this year. There’s no Masters 1000 event on grass courts, for instance, something that would greatly benefitted Roger Federer in his prime and Novak Djokovic (as well as Federer) now. I have already above given two opponents an edge over Nadal in his group, and I struggle to see him making the semi-finals this year. He reached the finals a year ago, but withdrew with a back injury, giving Djokovic the victory, prompting the Swiss to address the crowd afterwards and apologize for not being able to play. I have just switched surfaces and balls and now I will be going back again and I might not be timing the ball perfectly at the beginning of the week but as it goes on hopefully I will start to play better tennis.