Sweet '17 for Federer, Nadal as rivals hobble into new year

PARIS - Written off as dead men walking, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal defied time to sweep the Grand Slams in 2017 while the injury curse which dogged their rivals looks set to be the new year's early storyline.

Evergreen Federer, who will turn 37 in 2018, took his majors tally to 19 with a fifth Australian Open title, which was secured by a five-set triumph over Nadal, and a record eighth Wimbledon crown with a stroll past a tearful Marin Cilic.

Nadal, 32 in June next year, was not to be outdone, claiming a 10th French Open, a third US Open title and the year-ending world No 1 spot.

Federer finished the year at No 2 in the world, having started at 16, and a season-leading seven titles - including three Masters at Indian Wells, Miami and Shanghai - despite having skipped the entire clay-court season.

"It's been an amazing year for me," said Federer who had missed the last six months of the 2016 season through injury.

Nadal added two Masters titles at Monte Carlo and Madrid to his triumphs at Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows, finishing the campaign with six trophies.

The 16-time Grand Sam champion also secured the year-ending top ranking for a fourth time.

"I never would have imagined I would end up as number one at the end of the season again," said the Spaniard.

"It wasn't one of my goals going into the season - far from it. After returning from a difficult period in my career and battling through injuries, this wasn't on my mind."

Nadal will go into the new season without his uncle Toni, who has departed for pastures news having coached Rafa since childhood.

But one thing will be familiar - his career-long battle with knee injuries.

He was forced to withdraw after just one round at the season-ending World Tour Finals and has already pulled out of an exhibition tournament in the United Arab Emirates from Dec 28-30.

Injury permitting, Nadal will now start 2018 as top seed in Brisbane from next weekend with the Australian Open due to get underway on Jan 15.

The Spaniard is not the only A-lister under an injury cloud.