20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer believes the changing of the guard in Tennis is gaining momentum as he seeks to continue his status as one of the sports top players at the age of 38.
Federer belongs to the prestigious Big Three contingent that also features Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Between them, they won 51 out of the last 59 grand slam tournaments and at least one of them have featured in the final in 57 out of the last 59 majors. Since 2004, Andy Murray is the only player outside of the trio to have clinched the year-end No.1 spot back in 2016.
Some are wondering when their stronghold on the sport is going to end, especially when it comes to Federer. The Swiss Maestro is the second oldest player in the top 500 on the ATP Tour after 40-year-old Ivo Karlovic (95). Despite his age, the world No.3 has still managed to claim four ATP titles and more than 50 wins this season.
“I predicted that I wasn’t going to be playing at 38/39 and here I am.” Federer said during a press conference in Argentina on Monday.
“I’m actually really happy that I feel the way I am. I had two great years physically over the last two years.”
At the ATP Finals last week, Federer was the only member of the Big Three to progress to the last four of the ATP Finals. Which was won by 21-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas. The outcome of the tournament has raised questions about if it will be 2020 when the other players start to breakthrough in the slams. Or if it was just a minor blip in their dominance.
Nevertheless, he isn’t taking any chances.This week Federer is playing in a series of exhibition matches across South America. One of his opponents will be Alexander Zverev. Somebody who recently said there will be a new champion in grand slam tennis next year.
“Every generation brings something new to the table. Maybe in movement, maybe in power and maybe in tactical elements.” Federer explained.
“I still feel in tennis that you can always improve and you can always learn. That’s what I’m doing. It’s part of this (South American) tour as well. In these matches against Sasha I’m going to learn something, I know it. I’m not just going out there to play a little bit of tennis. I’m actually going to go in there, enjoy myself and try out a few things.”
Has a change started to come?
Zverev, who turned 22 last April, already has multiple wins over both Federer and Djokovic, as well as defeating Nadal for the first time last week. Although he is yet to make it pass the quarter-final of a grand slam. For him, playing during the era of the Big Three has more pros than cons.
“All of us players, you know, most of the time loses to him, but we still don’t want him to retire.” The German said of Federer. “We still want him around as much as possible. We’ll see how much longer he can last.’
“Only Roger can answer that (retirement) question. He was my idol growing up and I still enjoy very much playing against him and having him around.”
Whilst fortunate to have the admiration of his younger peers, Federer knows that he will not be able to go on forever. Paving way for the likes of Zverev and Tsitsipas to try and fill the void left. Although there has been similar said in past years with few significant breakthroughs occurring. Especially when it comes to the ATP Finals. 2017 champion Grigor Dimitrov hasn’t won a title since. Meanwhile, 2018 winner Zverev has endured a turbulent season due to issues taking place off the court.
So will 2020 be the year where the landscape of men’s tennis starts to change?
“We know it’s going to be more difficult every year to keep the slams within the best group of guys.” Admits Federer.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see new champions and some of the older champions, of course I hope to be part of them.’
“I came so, so close this year at Wimbledon. I hope I can recreate those opportunities and take them next time, but I think the time will come, and that might be next year, when they will take over and that will be totally fine because at this moment in time now, they are plenty good enough.”
Federer will travel to five different countries this week for his exhibition tour. He is reportedly set to make in the region of $10 million in earnings, according to one source.
https://twitter.com/rogerfederer/status/1191481742886146048
Quotes obtained via EFE/ Sport360
