Federer to play on

Roger Federer rolled back the years by winning the Australian Open last month – and now he is signalling that he could be playing until close to his 40th birthday.

The 18-times grand slam champion yesterday revealed he has signed a three-year contract to play in his hometown ATP event, the Swiss Indoors, which takes place every October in Basel.

By pledging his participation until 2019, Federer is outlining plans to play until he is at least 38 – a grand old age even at a time when tennis players are enjoying greater longevity.

Such is his enormous drawing power, tennis chiefs will be delighted he appears to have no wish to retire.