Eyes on the prize: Federer refuses to settle for less than 20 grand slam titles
With a career grand slam, a record 16 grand slam titles, an Olympic gold medal, a few ATP titles here and there and after having beaten Pete Sampras’ record, Roger Federer is nothing short of legendary. However, despite the fact that the Swiss Maestro has successfully achieved all he’s ever wanted in terms of his career, he still feels that he’s lacking something.
According to what Federer told the BBC, he believes that winning 20 grand slam titles is a realistic aim for him. Furthermore, the professional stated that having won three grand slams per season three times, and two per year a couple of times, it’s something doable for him.
“I only play 16-20 tournaments per year, so I’m not overplaying, and that keeps the fire burning,” said Federer. The sportsman also claims that it isn’t all about the majors for him. Additionally, Roger exclaimed that tournaments such as the Toronto Masters and the like are important to him too.
In the words of the Swiss man “The motivation is huge for the next few years and obviously if I can win Grand Slams that’s fantastic, but they are not the only motivation over the next few years.”
Statistically, Federer doesn’t seem to be doing too well at the moment. The 2010 Australian Open marked his 16th grand slam victory. However, as far as the French Open and Wimbledon go, the sportsman failed to make it past the quarter-finals at both championships. At the moment, Roger is ranked no. 3 in the world, which is his lowest ranking since November 2003.
Roger’s quarter-final defeat to Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych at Wimbledon was the first time the athlete proved incapable of making it through to the finals since the year 2002. However, Federer became the 6th man in the history of the game to win a career grand slam prior to his 15th grand slam win at the 2009 Wimbledon championship, breaking Pete Sampras’ record.
The sportsman although, admitted that his body requires more recovery-time between tournaments at the moment. Additionally, in the words of Roger, “Being a teenager is different to being 23, and being 23 is very different to say being 28. Today, I know my body better than ever.”
He also stated that some things take a little bit longer to recover from with age, but he can prevent more problems by doing a lot more stretching, physical work, practice, massages. Federer also exclaimed that he was doing everything much more professionally in present times than he ever has before.
Presently, Roger is working his way up in the initial few stages of the 2010 U.S. Open. Having been eliminated from the French Open and the Wimbledon championship this year, a U.S. Open win will mark the professional’s 17th grand slam title.
Seeded no. 2 in the tournament, Federer defeated Argentina’s Brian Dabul in his first round match of the 2010 U.S. Open Men’s singles category. Dabul was thrashed 1-6, 4-6 and 2-6, three sets in a row by the Swiss Maestro.
In the round to follow, Roger was made to face Germany’s Andreas Beck. The professional bagged a straight set win against Beck. The German was crushed 6-3, 6-4 and 6-3 by Federer in the second round of the tournament.
Cruising through to the third round, The Swiss man thrashed Frenchman, Paul-Henri Mathieu in his match of the draw. Mathieu lost 4-6, 3-6 and 3-6 to Roger in straight sets.
Federer will be made to face Austria’s Jurgen Melzer in the fourth round of the 2010 U.S. Open. The professional seems to be performing flawlessly so far. Furthermore, there’s a fair chance that Roger will clinch the 2010 U.S. Open title based upon his current form.
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