Roger Federer opens up on when he’ll retire from tennis :-: Metro
Roger Federer has not set a date for his retirement from tennis but insists he will only continue with his family’s blessing, if his body allows him to, if he’s happy to travel and if he maintains a high level of success.
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Questions had been raised over how long the Swiss would continue playing after a barren spell of five years without a Grand Slam title, but having won two majors in 2017, the world No. 2 looks far from done yet.
The 19-time Grand Slam champion won the Australian Open before landing an eighth Wimbledon title, while he still remains in contention to end the year as world No. 1.
His latest success came off the back of a six-month period of recovery after a knee injury, which many thought could spell the beginning of the end for the 36-year-old.
But after proving his doubters wrong, Federer insists he’s not focused on hanging up his racquet just yet.
‘I know it [retirement] is sooner or later,’ he told Gulf News. ‘I know I’m not 22 anymore, but I don’t have a date.
‘If the body allows me to play, my family allows me to play, if the success is still there, if I’m happy to travel, I will continue.
‘But the four things have to work, if one of the four doesn’t work, it maybe the time to stop. But for now, it’s ok.’
Federer’s form in 2017 has been the subject of amazement for the majority of onlookers, although he has played a reduced schedule.
The father of four skipped the clay-court season in order to gear up for Wimbledon as effectively as possible and he’s learnt that spending less time on court keeps him more motivated to peak at the most important moments.
‘For me, I have come to realise that sometimes less is more,’ he added.
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‘Today I think when I take enough rest, feel hungry and have the fire, then it’s the one I can play my best.
‘I want to make sure I’m happy to be on the court and happy to do press. It’s like if I do too much, the fire is like Juuuu … it goes away.
‘So for me, the family is my priority and then the rest.’
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