Roger Federer-‘I can Compete with the New Generation’

Roger Federer is like the wine that gets better with time. While he was written off as a diminishing force, the Swiss maestro has proved to be a formidable force on the tour.  “It’s just not as easy as it seems”, said Federer. “You can see with other players who are trying it. There’s many tough guys out there, and it’s gotten very physical, very mental. But I think I’m doing really well under the circumstances with as many challengers.I wouldn’t want to feel the way that I couldn’t compete with the new generation, but I can. It’s not a problem for me.”

Federer is proud of his achievements and says that he has done exceptionally well to stay on the tour for so long at the highest of the levels. “I never would have guessed in ’04 when I got to No.1 for the first time that it was going to carry me for so long and that I was always going to be part of quarters, semis, finals of slams, and get a shot over and over again”, said Federer.

Federer also feels that most of his losses are the ones where he has self-destructed. “I got a few guys back who were able to beat me, and many times when I lose I feel like it’s on my racquet. That’s a good thing.”

Federer recalls when he first started off on the tour and everybody had really high expectations out of him. “Everybody predicted I was gonna win many and get to No.1. It’s just not as easy as it seems”, says the Swiss maestro. “I struggled to get into my first Grand Slam final back in 2003.”

Federer has since then been the world number one in the ATP singles rankings, for a total of 310 weeks, with 237 weeks in one consecutive streak.”You can’t go through 10-, 15-year career thinking you’ll always be at the very top. I think I did incredible work staying so long in the top 2 in the world.” “I never would have guessed in ’04 when I got to No.1 for the first time that it was going to carry me for so long.”