While he is playing a limited schedule in 2013, Swiss maestro maintains firm that becoming world #1 yet again is a realistic possibility. In Dubai this week for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the five-time winner addressed the media and press. Federer confirmed he will play the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in two weeks, where he is a record four-time champion and defending champion. After that he will skip the Miami masters, taking seven weeks off until the Madrid masters, which begins May 5.
The 17 time grand slam champion won his record tying 7th Wimbledon title in 2012, rising to world #1, breaking Pete Sampras’ record of 286 weeks. The Swiss star has held the top ranking for 302 weeks, far ahead of his current rivals (Nadal 102 weeks, Djokovic 70 weeks).
“It’s definitely realistic if I’m playing great, but I need to play absolutely great,” Federer told reporters in Dubai, where he is also defending his title and 500 points. “I can play great, but will I be allowed to? Time will tell. My big focus is on making sure that every tournament I enter I am perfectly prepared. I am hopeful I will get enough matches, but if not my schedule can be changed. I need to make sure I have enough time off, so that when 2014 comes I am in a position with options, which I almost wasn’t this year to a degree.”
Federer also re-iterated himself as a threat to win any grand slam but to do so he will have to manage his schedule intelligently.
“I strongly believe I have more Slams in me,” Federer said. “Which Slam do I favor — does Wimbledon over-weigh the rest? Maybe, but looking back there have been amazing moments with each Slam. It depends how long I play. But I don’t want to be depending on that. I am trying to be smart with my schedule. I am practicing more. Your prime is 23 to 27 or 28 so for me it’s very challenging — and exciting. I need to make the right decisions. I have family and not many guys have that.”
Watch full coverage of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on FF07tv.
Source: Tennis.com
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