Federer, on-a-streak, fuels grand slam talk
Source: Agencies |
March 20, 2012, Tuesday
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ROGER Federer has not won a grand slam crown since the 2010 Australian Open but his scintillating form over the past nine months suggests he will be back in the elite winners circle very soon.
The Swiss ace overcame big-serving American John Isner 7-6, 6-3 at the BNP Paribas Open final in Indian Wells, California, on Sunday, his sixth ATP World Tour title in his last eight tournaments.
Since his gripping 5-set semifinal defeat to Novak Djokovic at last year's US Open, the Swiss has won 39 of his 41 matches, sparking talk he may be back to his very best.
Asked if he was playing better than ever, world No. 3 Federer replied, "I don't know. I think I had a great run the last three matches, and obviously the last six months it's been really good.
"Before that was great, too. I'm just happy that I'm feeling healthy and happy and willing to play.
"Just enjoying life, really. I think I'm playing extremely well. If it's the best of my life, I'll never know."
For the moment, Federer has set his sights on winning further grand slam titles and said that regaining the top ranking from Djokovic was a longer-term target.
"It's not right now a goal for me in the short term, because I can't be world number one because Novak has played amazing these last 12 months," he added.
"Just because I have been on a great run doesn't mean he hasn't. And he might go and do another run or ... Rafa might go on his clay court run again, and then all things become very difficult as well for me to get to world No. 1.
"I love winning tennis tournaments, especially when you put in all the hard work and the sacrifice of playing a lot of matches before this, making sure I get some momentum and confidence going."
Also, since breaking through with her first grand slam crown at the Australian Open in January, Victoria Azarenka has effortlessly grown into her role as the world's top player.
The 22-year-old Belarusian has reigned supreme this season, compiling a perfect 23-0 record and winning her third title with a 6-2, 6-3 demolition of Maria Sharapova in the women's final.
Federer and Azarenka each earned US$1 million, the richest winner's checks in the tournament's history.
The runners-up earned US$500,000 each.
The Swiss ace overcame big-serving American John Isner 7-6, 6-3 at the BNP Paribas Open final in Indian Wells, California, on Sunday, his sixth ATP World Tour title in his last eight tournaments.
Since his gripping 5-set semifinal defeat to Novak Djokovic at last year's US Open, the Swiss has won 39 of his 41 matches, sparking talk he may be back to his very best.
Asked if he was playing better than ever, world No. 3 Federer replied, "I don't know. I think I had a great run the last three matches, and obviously the last six months it's been really good.
"Before that was great, too. I'm just happy that I'm feeling healthy and happy and willing to play.
"Just enjoying life, really. I think I'm playing extremely well. If it's the best of my life, I'll never know."
For the moment, Federer has set his sights on winning further grand slam titles and said that regaining the top ranking from Djokovic was a longer-term target.
"It's not right now a goal for me in the short term, because I can't be world number one because Novak has played amazing these last 12 months," he added.
"Just because I have been on a great run doesn't mean he hasn't. And he might go and do another run or ... Rafa might go on his clay court run again, and then all things become very difficult as well for me to get to world No. 1.
"I love winning tennis tournaments, especially when you put in all the hard work and the sacrifice of playing a lot of matches before this, making sure I get some momentum and confidence going."
Also, since breaking through with her first grand slam crown at the Australian Open in January, Victoria Azarenka has effortlessly grown into her role as the world's top player.
The 22-year-old Belarusian has reigned supreme this season, compiling a perfect 23-0 record and winning her third title with a 6-2, 6-3 demolition of Maria Sharapova in the women's final.
Federer and Azarenka each earned US$1 million, the richest winner's checks in the tournament's history.
The runners-up earned US$500,000 each.
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