Twenty-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer is bidding to win the 100th title of his career at the Australian Open in Melbourne. “King” Roger triumphed in the past two editions of the “Happy Slam” at Melbourne Park beating Rafael Nadal in the epic 2017 five-set clash and Marin Cilic last year.
Last October Federer won his 99th title at the Swiss Indoor Open in Basel in front of his home fans.
“99 is an incredible number. I am so close to my 100th title. I will give it a go. Every tournament I go to, people might talk about it. I am not trying to look far ahead. If I made 100 at the Australian Open, I would take it. I would gladly accept it and I will give it I have ”, said Federer during the press conference ahead of the Australian Open.
Federer won the Australian Open six times in his career.
“I love watching highlights, with all the music, it’s very emotional. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years, plus juniors, plus qualifying, so it’s been more actually. How good it was to win another five-set thriller in the final last year. It was epic. It was unbelievable. It was a great event and I played great tennis”.
Federer is looking ahead at a new season with confidence after a good period of training during the off-season.
“I think I was probably even able to work a bit harder than I thought I was going to. I did not miss any sessions. I was seeking confirmation that my level of play was good from practice. In the off-season I felt great. I think I added on top of it. I came out it actually strong. I am very happy with my preparation thus far. I am super excited that it’s just a day away now from my next match”, said Federer.
Federer showed his support for his British rival Andy Murray, who announced his retirement from tennis due to hip injury.
“I guess everybody can understand where he comes from. At some point when you feel like you are never going to get back to 100 percent, you have had the success that Andy has had, you can understand the decision. I was disappointed and sad, a little bit shocked, to know now that we are going to lose him at some point. But we are going to lose everybody at some point. It’s just now that it’s definite. I hope he can play a good Australian Open, and he can keep playing beyond that, really finish the way he wants to at Wimbledon. That’s what I hope for him. It’s a tough one, but one down the road he can look back on and be incredibly proud of everything he has achieved”,said Federer.
Novak Djokovic will make his debut against US qualifier Mitchell Krueger. The world number 1 player ties Federer’s record of six titles at the Australian Open. In the build-up to the first Grand Slam tournament of the year the Serbian star was beaten by eventual champion Roberto Bautista Agut in the semifinal of the Qatar Open in Doha.
Djokovic has a special relationship to the Australian Open and the city of Melbourne.
“I have had lots of success in Australia in the past. I think it’s also due to that support that I get from the Serbian community, but also people internationally that come to support all the tennis players during the next couple of weeks..They call it the Happy Slam for a reason. There is a lot of vibes and a good buzza round the city. The people of Australia love sport and nurture sporting values. They love their tennis. During these four weeks, you can see a lot of tennis on TV. Everybody follows it. As a tennis player, it’s a great honour and pleasure to be here”, said Djokovic during the pre-tournament press conference.
He made his debut in 2005 as a qualifier losing to Marat Safin. Three years later he won his first Grand Slam title in Melbourne after rallying from a set down against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final after clinching wins over Lleyton Hewitt, David Ferrer and Roger Federer. He is bidding to win a record-breaking seventh title in this year’s edition which starts on Monday.
“Historically, the Australian Open has been my most successful Grand Slam. Back in 2008, it was my first Grand Slam trophy that I won. That obviously served as a great springboard for my career. It opened a lot of doors for me. It allowed me to believe in myself that I can actually win the biggest tournaments in the world and challenge the best players in the world”, said Djokovic.
Djokovic also paid tribute to his rival and friend Andy Murray. Both players were born in 1987 and have met on the tennis court many times since the junior tournaments.
“Obviously to see him struggle so much and go through so much pain, it’s very sad and it hurts me as his long-time friend, colleague and rival. I have nurtured a very good relationship with him on and off the court. I am proud to have that kind of relationship that will go on hopefully for many more years, regardless of whether we get to play against each other or not, whether he continues playing whatever happens. I will carry beautiful memories from the court on and off the court with him. It’s sad for me and the sport, because Andy is a very respected and likeable guy around the locker room. He is a great champion. He is legend of this sport, without a doubt. He has had it all”.
