Former World No. 1 Roger Federer has made a stunning admission about his career. The Swiss superstar claimed he is still feeling fresh despite having spent 20 years on the ATP tour.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion became the oldest No. 1 in the sport’s history when he won the ABN AMRO World Tennis Championships in Rotterdam in February. Indeed, Federer has surpassed all expectations since making a remarkable comeback from knee surgery at the start of 2017.
Federer won a record equaling sixth title at the Australian Open in January before capturing his 97th career title in Rotterdam in February.
After failing to defend his titles at Indian Wells and Miami, Federer took the decision of skipping the entire European clay-court season in order to keep himself fresh and injury free ahead of the grass season, where he will hope to lift an unprecedented ninth title at Wimbledon and a 10th trophy in Halle.
The reigning Australian Open champion, who will be back in action at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart from June 11, declared that he had to overcome a number of adversities to realize his dream of becoming the best player in the world.
“It feels to me like I just started playing and have only been on the tour for five years or so,” Federer told Vogue magazine when asked about how he felt about his game.
“Time flies when you are having fun, I guess, but I have felt this way for 20 years.
“Of course, in some ways I wish I still had more years on the tour, and that this wasn’t my 20th year.
“But over the course of my career, I’ve faced many adversities: playing with injuries and while hurt, sick, jet-lagged, or tired.
“Even playing when you have four children can be challenging day to day, especially when you are at the top.
“But I see these adversities as a great challenge and feel that it is a privilege to be in this position.”
