MORE TO COME IN PLANS OF AGELESS FEDERER
LESS has become more for world No. 2 Roger Federer as he attempts to extend his dazzling career beyond 2018.
Federer remains a giant of the sport at age 36, winning two grand slams in 2017, including the Australian Open.
But after spending most of 2016 on the sidelines with a career-threatening knee injury, Federer knows he needs to take it easy with his body. Federer injured his knee while running a bath for his twins, and he knows he might be just one more serious injury away from having his career ended. But for now he has no retirement plans.
Instead, he is eyeing off more grand slam success, and he believes the key to achieving that is by training smarter, instead of harder.
“Through the injury I sustained in Australia a couple of years ago, my mindset has changed,” Federer said.
“I probably work less, with even more quality. So it gives me more time off.
“Essentially I’m working half days if you like, because there’s no point for me to put in all the mega hours anymore, because I know I have it in the vault, I have it there if need be.
“That’s why it was very important for me to prove to myself at the Australian Open this year – to win those three five setters that I had. (And also win) the two fivesetters I had at the US Open.
“I won all the big matches when it came down to the crunch. I know I can do it, and it’s important to stay injury free.”
Federer made a perfect start to his Hopman Cup campaign with a 6-4 6-3 win over Japan’s Yuichi Sugita.
Switzerland won the tie 3-0, with their second tie on tonight against Russia.