Federer reveals plans for 2018 and retirement
Roger Federer has addressed speculation 2018 could be the final year in his wonderful career.
The Swiss legend took a fair chunk of 2017 off as he refined his schedule to avoid burning out and risking injury.
The 19-time grand slam champion had has 2016 cut short by injury, resulting in a much lighter workload in 2017.
CLASSY MOVE: Australian Open welcomes embattled Azarenka
He still managed to snare the Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns, but many saw the move to skip the whole clay court swing as a sign the tennis great is on his last legs.
However Federer has shot down any talk of retirement and declared he'll play on for a few more years at least.
“I currently intend to continue to play for a longer period, hopefully for a few more years,” Federer told Swiss publication SRF recently.
“I doubt though it will be another 10 years.”
However Federer did flag his intentions to once again manage his schedule in 2018, hinting he'll skip the French Open once again.
“Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open are cornerstones, everything which lies between we'll take it from there,” Federer said.
“We’ll only step on court if we are 100% fit.”
Federer and Rafael Nadal have utterly dominated during 2017 but as the season ends there is a palpable sense that the top of the men's game is in a state of rare flux.
Federer and World No.1 Nadal rolled back the years to reclaim the top two ranking spots and hogged the four Grand Slam titles as Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray slipped off the radar.
Nadal, 31, pulled out during the Paris Masters with a right knee injury and was forced to call it quits after the first round in London but sounded upbeat about his chances of being ready to compete at the start of next season.
Federer looked short of his best during his semi-final defeat in London at the hands of David Goffin but stayed positive, saying he had had an "amazing year" as he plotted for next season.
Neither sound like they have plans to go anywhere yet.
Federer expects Djokovic, Murray and Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka to return and provide a sizzling start to 2018.
"I expect greatness from them," said Federer. "I wouldn't be surprised if it worked out for them like it worked out for me and Rafa.
"I also hope Kei (Nishikori), Tomas (Berdych) and Milos (Raonic) all find their way back on tour ... in Australia because that would make it a quite epic comeback.
"Then you mix them together with the new guys ... It could be a very cool start to the year."
with AFP
