Relaxed Roger’s still having fun

FAVOURITE: HE HAS BEEN TIPPED FOR A SIXTH CROWN

Decimated field means he has a great chance at Aussie Open.

Melbourne

Roger Federer says tennis is “definitely a lot of fun” as he embarks on an Australian Open shrouded in mystery over the fitness and mindset of his major rivals in the next fortnight.

The Swiss, rated as the favourite to win his 20th Grand Slam title even at the venerable age of 36, is still in love with the game that has made him a recognisable global celebrity and fabulously rich.

Federer is coming off an extraordinary 2017, when he won a fifth Australian Open title and a record eighth at Wimbledon, and the way things are shaping there could be yet more glory with his main threats scrambling to be ready.

Five-time finalist Andy Murray and Japan’s Kei Nishikori are already out with injuries, while 12time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic is working his way back from elbow trouble.

World No 1 Rafael Nadal withdrew from his first tour event of 2018, in Brisbane, with continuing knee problems, and has been trying to catch up on the court in Melbourne ahead of the Open.

The 2014 winner Stan Wawrinka says his knee is holding up well after surgery but there was still pain and he is miffed that he no longer has coach Magnus Norman in his player’s box.

But while others have had a troubled build-up, Federer is enjoying a good lead in to the Open and is at peace with the world.

“It just seems that it’s nice that it’s never actually gone away, the fun aspect of actually enjoying the travel, coming back to Australia,” Federer said ahead of his firstround clash tomorrow against Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene.

Federer is returning to where he lit the fuse on his late-life tennis renaissance this time last year, beating Tomas Berdych, Nishikori, Mischa Zverev and Wawrinka before downing great rival Nadal in a five-set final classic.

If there is to be a winner outside the top guns, those who look most likely are Bulgaria’s world No 3 Dimitrov, Germany’s Alexander Zverev and tempestuous Australian Nick Kyrgios. –