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Federer eyes 2-3 more years
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ROGER Federer says he hopes to play for at least another two or three years and that his “mind-set is for the long-term” in assessing his tennis future.
Federer, who has not played since re-injuring his surgically repaired left knee at Wimbledon in July, will make his tournament return in the January 1-7 Hopman Cup team event in Perth, representing Switzerland with Belinda Bencic.
The 35-year-old Federer said yesterday he’s not sure of the form he’ll produce upon his return, but that retirement isn’t part of his thought process.
“Only when I get asked do I think of things like this,” said Federer, who has 17 grand slam singles titles, the most of any male player.
“I don’t see it like this, that this could be my last Australian trip, even though it might very well be,” he added. “I’m really positive. I took these six months off so I would be playing for hopefully another two to three years, not just another six months or so. So my mindset is for the long-term.”
Federer hasn’t won a grand slam singles title since Wimbledon in 2012, and with his injury, has slipped to No. 16 in the world rankings.
“Winning titles is a beautiful feeling, rankings at the moments ... completely secondary,” he said. “As long as I’m healthy and injury free I think I can really do some damage.”
Federer and Bencic begin play against Britain, represented by Heather Wilson and Dan Evans, on Monday night.
Another former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal also believes he can still be a contender at the majors for another three years despite another injury-hit season.
The 30-year-old Spaniard, now ranked at nine in the world, shut down his 2016 campaign in October having missed Wimbledon and been forced out of the French Open after two rounds with a wrist injury. But 14-time grand slam title winner insists that he can still return to the heady days of his career which saw him capture a record nine Roland Garros titles.
“My idea is to stay here for a few more years and I feel enough motivation to be here. I believe that I can compete for important things in the next three years,” said Nadal in Abu Dhabi where he is taking part in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
Nadal got his preparations for 2017 off to a solid start on Thursday by beating Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-0, 6-4 to make the semifinals of the Abu Dhabi tournament.
He will face Canada’s Milos Raonic for a place in the final.
Belgian David Goffin defeated France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (2), 6-4 and he will tackle world No. 1 Andy Murray.
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