Former world No.1 Roger Federer has revealed that reason behind his strong start to the year following a six-month injury hiatus from the tour.
The Swiss player has won 19 out of 20 matches played this season. At the start of the year, Federer defeated four top-10 players to win his 18th major title at the Australian Open. Since then, he has also won back-to-back Masters titles in Indian Wells and Miami. The only blip in an otherwise perfect started to the season was in Dubai when Federer suffered a shock second round loss to Russia’s Evgeny Donskoy.
At the age of 35, many have praised Federer’s resurgence on the tour. Speaking about his recent performance, the Swiss believes the surge in his form was enhanced by his break from the tour. Upon returning at the start of the year, Federer thrived on his underdog status.
“I got really rejuvenated and fresh and ready, and excited to come back on tour again,” Federer said.
“And I was finally able to speak differently to the press and everybody, and just tell everybody how little expectations I really have.
“Because for the last 15 years I always said, more or less, ‘I want to win the next tournament I enter,’ because that was reality.
“Because of this injury, it sort of reset everything, and it was a beautiful thing.”
Federer’s ‘low expectations’ is now a thing of the past due to his recent success. On the ATP Race to London, he currently leads his nearest rival (Rafael Nadal) by 305 points. An impressive position considering the Swiss has only played in four tournaments this year.
French Open challenge awaits
Currently resting from the tour, Federer is bidding to return to action at the French Open later this month. He will enter the second grand slam tournament of the year without playing a single competitive match on the clay.
“I entered into the French (Open) and the plan is to play the French.” He told The Tennis Channel. “I just feel like I need to be really hungry and excited to make the switch to the clay and I am eager to achieve something over there. Not just show up and make people happy.”
The French Open is the venue where Federer played his first grand slam main draw match in 1999. Since then he has only managed to triumph in Roland Garros once, lifting the title in 2009. He has won 65 out of 81 matches played at the tournament.
