20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer enters this week’s Western and Southern Open rearing to go.
The Swiss world No.2 is set to play in his first tournament since his loss to Kevin Anderson in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon. Since then, he has opted to take an extended break from the sport after pulling out of last week’s Rogers Cup. Cincinnati will be only his eighth tournament of the year. The same number as rival Rafael Nadal.
“Watching from afar is tough,” Federer told reporters about his recent absence.
“But that’s part of growing older, you’ve got to take care of the body.
“It’s nice to be back and I hope to have a good tournament.”
Recently celebrating his 37h birthday, Federer is the oldest player currently in the top 100. In the past, he has spoken out about the importance of managing his scheduling in order to maintain his longevity in the sport. During 2016, he missed six months of action due to a right knee injury. Making it his longest injury-related break from tennis in his entire career.
“You’ve got to keep it all in perspective, it’s easier now for me to take time away. I wish I could play everything but it’s not possible.” He explained.
“I’m more relaxed about my schedule now. I have more time for the family, which is important for me.”
“The hectic part of my life has passed. Even when I have to take time away, I still get something out of it.”
Whilst carefully managing his commitments, Federer is eager to return back to winning ways at an event that has brought him success in the past. He is the most decorated player in the history of the Western and Southern Open. Winning the title seven times between 2005-2015. A tally he hopes to add to later this week.
“I’ve trained hard, I’m anxious. I chose to skip Toronto for the health of my body,” he explained. “I don’t want to be hurt, there is too much to play.”
The resurgence of Djokovic
Besides Nadal, Federer is facing the prospect of taking on a rejuvenated Novak Djokovic in the near future. The Serbian recently claimed the Wimbledon title in what was his first major trophy since 2016. Djokovic is placed in the opposite end to Federer in Cincinnati this week. Meaning the two can only clash in the final.
“Novak winning Wimbledon obviously that was massive, I don’t think he expected it,” Federer said about Djokovic.
“I remember the press conference he gave after Paris [losing to Marco Cecchinato] when he was like ‘I don’t know yet I was frustrated, I just want to get out of here’. And people were asking him ‘What, you’re not going to play the grass?’ And then he should have won Queens and goes on to win Wimbledon, so things can turn very quickly, regardless if you’re positive or not, sometimes when you just put yourself out there and then you get excited in a quarters of semis of a Slam you can start playing your best tennis.”
Later this month both men will be battling to win the US Open. Nadal is the current champion of the New York major. It has been 10 years since Federer last won the title in Flushing Meadows. Meanwhile, Djokovic last triumphed back in 2015. Looking ahead to the event, Federer believes the return of players such as Djokovic will make it an ‘epic’ competition.
“Novak can play with less pressure again I guess, to some extent, but you can always get caught up in the pressure, the media saying ‘well clearly now you’re going to win the US Open’, and you’re like ‘Well, I guess so, yes’.” Federer concluded.
“And then rather than you being able to say ‘Well, we’ll see what happens’, perspective changes from your side but also from the media. But definitely exciting times, a lot of the best players are back in the game and I think the US Open is going to be epic.”
Federer will start his Cincinnati campaign against Germany’s Peter Gojowczyk on Tuesday.
