Andy Murray has a point to prove, says Boris Becker

• Rafael Nadal, speaking in Paris yesterday, said the injury keeping him out of this week's event is not a major problem Picture: Getty

Federer and Murray contested the Australian Open final in January, with Federer winning in straight sets to claim his 16th grand slam title.

But the pair were eclipsed for the rest of the year by Rafael Nadal, the Spaniard winning the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open to complete the career Grand Slam and take over a firm grip on the world number one spot.

And three-time Wimbledon champion Becker believes the Swiss and British stars will be out to end the year on a high at the O2 Arena from November 21-28.

"I think we will see some big names in the semi-finals and final," said Becker, speaking at a Barclays Ball Kids training session in London yesterday.

"Nikolay Davydenko was maybe a surprise winner last year but I think this is an important tournament for Federer, Murray and Djokovic - they have something to prove with Nadal winning three of the four grand slams this year.

"Roger played perfect tennis for five or six years but because he has won so much I think his intensity level has dropped just a little, maybe 5%, but that is all it takes. He has the perfect life with his wife and young children but I think he can win more grand slam titles.

"As for Murray, the question is always can he win a grand slam, and the answer is yes. He is still young, 23 is nothing, and he is playing well again after a disappointing US Open (where he lost in the third round to Stanislas Wawrinka].

"Winning Shanghai was big for him but we want to see him win at the 02 and the Australian Open."

Murray has been without a coach since sacking Miles Maclagan at the end of July, but Becker feels there may not be a lot of candidates for the Scot to choose from.

"I think he's taking his time because it's an important decision for him to get right and there are not that many top coaches to choose from," Becker added. "He needs someone with experience, who knows what it is like to be in semi-finals and finals and come up the tennis ladder.And someone he respects.

"At the top level, you are not looking for a hitting partner, there are plenty of those around, you need someone who has been there and done it in tennis."

Meanwhile, Nadal is confident he will be fit to take part in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London later this month.

The Spaniard has been forced out of the final ATP 1000 Masters event in Paris this week due to tendonitis in his left shoulder but he is adamant he will be okay to head the eight-man line-up at the O2.

Nadal said yesterday in Paris: "For sure, (it is] disappointing not to be (playing] here. It is the last Masters 1000 of the year, and one of my favourite tournaments. So it was not an easy decision.

"The injury is not a big problem but I have to be careful, because if I had an injury now it could be difficult to play London and to play well at the beginning of the season next year."

Nadal lost all three round-robin matches in London last year and failed to qualify for the next phase.

He added: "It is a goal for me to try to improve the image of last year in London. I think I am focused to try to do this."