Rafael Nadal is predicted to win a Grand Slam in 2016, and not Roger Federer, despite the former's struggles this year.

ESPN’s Greg Garber and Melissa Isaacson predicted that Nadal, who struggled in the first half of the season, is “slightly more likely” to win a Grand Slam next year than an aging Federer.

Garber noted that the “King of Clay’ had shown his elite form in the past tournaments most recently at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, where he won all his matches before bowing down against Novak Djokovic in the semifinal round. Isaacson, on the other hand, argued that the 14-time Grand Slam winner has the edge over the Swiss Maestro because of his willingness to not give up despite the Spaniard’s recent setbacks.

“This is not to say that either Rafa or Fed will win a Slam in 2016; I don't think they will,” Isaacson wrote. “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.”

Nadal, who for the first time in his 11-year career has not won any major title in a season, has indeed shown a glimpse of a return ever since his loss against Fabio Fognini at the US Open. The Spaniard was close to winning the China Open and the Swiss Indoors title, but was halted by Djokovic and Federer, respectively.

Fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez also thinks Nadal is poised for a better season next year. However, the world No. 17 admitted that it would be tough for Nadal, considering how “Djoker” is dominating the game.

"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."

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