Five-time champ hopes to mark the 10th anniversary of his first US Open title with a sixth triumph in New York and become the oldest Grand Slam champion in more than 40 years
Roger Federer speaks to the media at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
New York: Roger Federer hopes to mark the 10th anniversary of his first US Open title with a sixth triumph in New York and become the oldest Grand Slam champion in more than 40 years.
Roger Federer speaks to the media at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
In a reversal of fortunes, the 33-year-old, written off when he slipped to a fourth round loss to Tommy Robredo 12 months ago, is perfectly placed for an 18th major.
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Buoyed by a sixth Cincinnati title and with rival Rafael Nadal out with injury, the Swiss is relishing the twilight of his career. His last-16 loss to Robredo in 2013 in New York meant it was the first time since 2002 that he had failed to make a Grand Slam final.
The defeat also marked the first time in 10 years that he hadn't made at least the last-eight at Flushing Meadows.
Suddenly, his five straight US Open titles from 2004-2008 appeared to be history and his 17th and major — 2012 Wimbledon — seemed to be his last. But the Swiss goes into his 15th US Open in top form.
At Wimbledon in July he lost to World No 1 Novak Djokovic. Since then, he's been runner-up in Toronto and won Cincinnati and the problems of 2013 (back injury) don't exist. "This year I played a lot of good matches. Not just Toronto and Cincinnati, but from the first week on I've played really nice tennis.
You almost forget how to lose to a point, confidence rises. You're back to winning ways and it all seems simple. I feel I can play a great tournament," said No 2 seed Federer, who faces Marinko Matosevic in Round One.
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