Reigning Australian Open champion Roger Federer, who began his 2018 campaign in style on Saturday, has revealed his biggest fear.
Federer’s imperious form that took him to two Grand Slam titles in 2017 continued in his first match of the new season as he beat Japan’s Yuichi Sugita 6-4, 6-3 in what was a straightforward win in his opening match in the Hopman Cup in Perth. And it is a potential bad news for his main rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka, all of whom have suffered recent injury setbacks.
However, Federer somehow has managed to overcome the age barrier and is still winning titles at the age of 36. But, like any other tennis player, he is fearful of a career threatening injury that could happen anytime considering he is already in his mid-30s. Reminding people that his knee injury in 2016 almost forced him into retirement, Federer emphasized on the need to remain fit and healthy so that he could play on the ATP tour for a few more years.
“It could be anywhere my last time because if I get hurt down the stretch, all of a sudden this could be it as well,” Federer said.
“We know how I hurt my knee last time around – by running a bath for the girls. Some things are fragile in my body and sometimes accidents do occur. I hope it’s not my last year on tour. I hope there’s more to come. But again, time will tell. At the moment, I take it a tournament – or a season – at a time.
“Anything I win from here on forward is a massive bonus and a kind of surprise because I didn’t expect myself to play as good as I am today at 36, 37. It’s about staying healthy and enjoying myself.”
