You can’t be serious?
> Federer says he should not be favourite at 36 as Halep, Wozniacki eye maiden Slam
ROGER FEDERER says a 36-year-old should not really be considered a favourite for the Australian Open, although when the man in question is himself, no one was taking him seriously.
The Swiss breezed through his media duties yesterday with the same swagger he will take on court against Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene tomorrow, when he kicks off the defence of the title he won against great rival Rafa Nadal last year.
That unforgettable triumph ended a five-year hiatus in Federer’s grand slam collection and a few months later, he took his tally to a record-extending 19 by winning Wimbledon.
Few would bet against him becoming only the fourth tennis player to reach 20 in two weeks time, although Federer was reluctant to accept the favourite’s tag.
“With age, I feel like I play down my chances just because I don’t think a 36year-old should be a favourite of a tournament, it should not be the case,” he told reporters.
“That’s why I see things more relaxed, you know, at a later stage of my career.”
Federer says the likes of six-times champion Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka, both returning after lengthy injury breaks, could benefit from the same mindset he arrived with in Melbourne last year, when he was just back from a six-month hiatus.
“This year I hope to win the first few rounds and get rolling, whereas last year it was more of a ‘let’s see what happens’ kind of tournament,” Federer, who is seeded second behind world No. 1 Nadal, said.
“Maybe similar to what Novak or Stan or others are going through this year. It’s like, let’s just see what happens. If you’re in the draw, you give yourself a chance.
“That’s what happened for me last year. All ended up way better than I thought it would. Having no expectations was so nice after all these years always having expectations.”
Meanwhile in the women’s side of the draw, Simona Halep will sport her “lucky” red dress and Caroline Wozniacki says she is playing better than ever as both aim for a first Grand Slam victory when the tournament starts today.
The world’s two topranked players will spearhead the charge to succeed Serena Williams at year’s first major left wide open by the withdrawal of the defending champion and new mum.
Halep, who currently has no clothing sponsor, confirmed she would wear the same “lucky” red dress in Australia that she used while registering a dominant victory at the Shenzhen Open a fortnight ago.
She found the outfit on the internet and hoped it would bring the same results in Australia.
“Was a (web)site, in China actually, and one of my managers helped me, and in 24 hours I had the outfit, and it was perfect. I was lucky,” she said.
Former No. 1 Wozniacki is riding high in the rankings again after reaching eight finals in 2017, with victories in Tokyo in September and at the season-ending Tour Championship.
“I think I’ve improved everything,” said Wozniacki ahead of a firstround clash today with Romania’s Mihaela Buzarnescu.
“It was a good start to the year,” said Wozniacki. – Reuters/AFP