Roger Federer doesn't know when he will call it a career, but he is already aware that it will depend on some certain things that are not involving only him but also his family. ‘Health has definitely a role to play in my decision-making, no doubt about it.
As I move forward, I’ll be very cautious of how much I will play, how much I think is healthy. Then, of course, it’s just discussions I always have, continuous discussion, with my wife about the family, about my kids, is everybody happy on tour, are we happy to pack up and go on tour for five, six, seven weeks.
Are we willing to do that. For the time being, it seems like absolutely no problem, which is wonderful. Then success to some extent also is key for keeping – staying out there really. This tournament, again, helps me to stay hopefully on tour longer, to be honest', the 18-time Grand Slam champion said after his win over Tomas Berdych in a news conference.
‘I haven’t made any decisions moving forward, how far, am I looking at the Tokyo Olympics [in 2020] or anything like that. I haven’t. Since the injury, honestly everything has been very much reset, that I just go sort of I’m planning till the end of the year, then I know what I’m going to play at the beginning of next year, so forth.
Maybe I think a year ahead, but it’s just important to stay on track with the plan.’ Federer feels confident ahead of the final against Marin Cilic: 'I feel I'm ready for it.
I've played good matches here since my win here in 2012. I played great '14, '15. '16 was special. And '13 because of injuries. But I played great in '14 and '15. I'm happy I'm up to that level again.
Because I've done so well here, you know, grass comes so natural to me, I don't know, I'm just very pleased to be back here. I mean, yes, you make it sound like the gap is huge. I don't feel like it's that long ago, to be honest.
2003 feels like ages ago, because of the ponytail, the beard, whatever, you name it. This one is different. I kind of look the same back in 2012, or at least I hope so.' Federer and Murray played all their matches on Centre Court this year, while Djokovic and Nadal played two there and two on Court 1.
Asked if he would be disappointed if he was in Nadal and Djokovic's shoes, Federer replied: "It is what it is, you know, really. No, you take it, you accept it, and you move on with it. I'm always ready that they put me on the second-best court or any other court they want.
They decide, not you. The only thing you can do is try to get your ranking up, achieve something to hopefully make you a draw card in the tournament. I also didn't quite understand why Novak didn't play that day, you know, to be quite honest.
But then they have their arguments. Security and safety is a huge thing these day, as we know. If that's what it is, you have to accept it and move on with it. Yes, of course you always prefer to play on Centre Court over Court 1, or Court 1 over Court 2 and so forth.
There's a lot of players, demands from spectators, TV, sponsors. We have no clue what is going on beyond those doors. That's why it is what it is.' On Centre Court, you played a ton of matches there. Royal Box has often been filled with a lot of famous people from all walks of life.
Anyone you remember particularly catching your eye during a match? Is it something you glance up at when you come on the court, or is it something you try to block out? 'I guess you try to block it out to some extent.
At the same time it is cool to see who is there. For me, very special is always when Pete Sampras showed up or Bjorn Borg showed up. I still remember that always being a thrill for me because I look up to those guys in a massive way.
When I know they've made a trip here to Wimbledon, which normally they wouldn't do, I know it means the world. Then having, you know, Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver again in the Royal Box, it's great. Then the Royal family, it's always nice when they show up and honor the tournament.
Yeah, that's what I get most excited about.' This year so far he won four titles on six finals played. 'I'm just totally surprised by Australia, Indian Wells, and Miami.
You know, I was hoping to be in good shape when the grass court season came around. Of course, the goal after Wimbledon last year, this time around, exactly today to the day almost when I lost the semis, was to hopefully be back strong for the clay court season and the grass court season leading into Wimbledon.
So the Australian Open was such an unbelievable surprise to me. Then to back it up in Indian Wells and Miami, that part I couldn't believe, you know, that I was able to sustain a great level. Then, of course, I got really lucky in Miami against Nick and Berdych and everything, but played another great finals against Rafa.
The first three, four months were just like a dream really. So this is something I was working towards, you know, Wimbledon, to be in good shape. I'm happy it's paying off here now. But the first bit was unreal
As I move forward, I’ll be very cautious of how much I will play, how much I think is healthy. Then, of course, it’s just discussions I always have, continuous discussion, with my wife about the family, about my kids, is everybody happy on tour, are we happy to pack up and go on tour for five, six, seven weeks.
Are we willing to do that. For the time being, it seems like absolutely no problem, which is wonderful. Then success to some extent also is key for keeping – staying out there really. This tournament, again, helps me to stay hopefully on tour longer, to be honest', the 18-time Grand Slam champion said after his win over Tomas Berdych in a news conference.
‘I haven’t made any decisions moving forward, how far, am I looking at the Tokyo Olympics [in 2020] or anything like that. I haven’t. Since the injury, honestly everything has been very much reset, that I just go sort of I’m planning till the end of the year, then I know what I’m going to play at the beginning of next year, so forth.
Maybe I think a year ahead, but it’s just important to stay on track with the plan.’ Federer feels confident ahead of the final against Marin Cilic: 'I feel I'm ready for it.
I've played good matches here since my win here in 2012. I played great '14, '15. '16 was special. And '13 because of injuries. But I played great in '14 and '15. I'm happy I'm up to that level again.
Because I've done so well here, you know, grass comes so natural to me, I don't know, I'm just very pleased to be back here. I mean, yes, you make it sound like the gap is huge. I don't feel like it's that long ago, to be honest.
2003 feels like ages ago, because of the ponytail, the beard, whatever, you name it. This one is different. I kind of look the same back in 2012, or at least I hope so.' Federer and Murray played all their matches on Centre Court this year, while Djokovic and Nadal played two there and two on Court 1.
Asked if he would be disappointed if he was in Nadal and Djokovic's shoes, Federer replied: "It is what it is, you know, really. No, you take it, you accept it, and you move on with it. I'm always ready that they put me on the second-best court or any other court they want.
They decide, not you. The only thing you can do is try to get your ranking up, achieve something to hopefully make you a draw card in the tournament. I also didn't quite understand why Novak didn't play that day, you know, to be quite honest.
But then they have their arguments. Security and safety is a huge thing these day, as we know. If that's what it is, you have to accept it and move on with it. Yes, of course you always prefer to play on Centre Court over Court 1, or Court 1 over Court 2 and so forth.
There's a lot of players, demands from spectators, TV, sponsors. We have no clue what is going on beyond those doors. That's why it is what it is.' On Centre Court, you played a ton of matches there. Royal Box has often been filled with a lot of famous people from all walks of life.
Anyone you remember particularly catching your eye during a match? Is it something you glance up at when you come on the court, or is it something you try to block out? 'I guess you try to block it out to some extent.
At the same time it is cool to see who is there. For me, very special is always when Pete Sampras showed up or Bjorn Borg showed up. I still remember that always being a thrill for me because I look up to those guys in a massive way.
When I know they've made a trip here to Wimbledon, which normally they wouldn't do, I know it means the world. Then having, you know, Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver again in the Royal Box, it's great. Then the Royal family, it's always nice when they show up and honor the tournament.
Yeah, that's what I get most excited about.' This year so far he won four titles on six finals played. 'I'm just totally surprised by Australia, Indian Wells, and Miami.
You know, I was hoping to be in good shape when the grass court season came around. Of course, the goal after Wimbledon last year, this time around, exactly today to the day almost when I lost the semis, was to hopefully be back strong for the clay court season and the grass court season leading into Wimbledon.
So the Australian Open was such an unbelievable surprise to me. Then to back it up in Indian Wells and Miami, that part I couldn't believe, you know, that I was able to sustain a great level. Then, of course, I got really lucky in Miami against Nick and Berdych and everything, but played another great finals against Rafa.
The first three, four months were just like a dream really. So this is something I was working towards, you know, Wimbledon, to be in good shape. I'm happy it's paying off here now. But the first bit was unreal