Nadal can bounce back, says Becker

After a brilliant start to the year, where the Spaniard beat Federer in a dramatic Australian Open final, the rest of 2009 turned out to be forgettable for Nadal. A shock fourth-round exit to Robin Soderling at Roland Garros, a venue where he hadn't lost in 31 matches, was followed by the world number two having to miss out on defending his Wimbledon crown after taking a two-month spell on the sidelines to recover from tendonitis in both knees.

Second-half woes

Nadal recuperated in time for the build-up to the US Open, but was again plagued by a stomach problem during the year's final slam before losing in straight sets in the semi-final to eventual winner Juan Martin Del Potro.

But in an interview with XPRESS, Becker said: "We shouldn't forget that the second half of the season is not on his favourite surface. He's the man for clay so for him to come back on hard court is always difficult. But he got to the semis of the US, he had a couple of other semi-finals. He's coming back and once next season starts, I think he'll be back to his full fitness."

But former world number one Becker believes Nadal and Federer will face stiff competition not just from each other in 2010, but also from the man who beat them both on his way to conquering Flushing Meadows.

"After winning the US Open very much so," said the German of Del Potro. He added: "I want to see him do well in other tournaments. He was injured after the US Open and hasn't played much. So I want to see him come back for the year- end masters in London in the O2. I want to see more of him but I think he's got the potential."