Roger Federer says ‘I can knock off Nadal and Djokovic’

The 17-time Grand Slam-winner warns world No 1 Rafael Nadal and defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic should be wary of the other top 10 players at the season’s first major as Andy Murray may not compete in Australia.

Roger Federer won the Australian Open in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, and has not failed to reach the semi-finals since 2003. EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA

Roger Federer warned he was still a force to be reckoned with Saturday as he heads into the Australian Open armed with a new, bigger racquet and with Stefan Edberg in his corner.

The 17-time Grand Slam-winner, now 32, said world No 1 Rafael Nadal and defending champion Novak Djokovic should be wary of the other top 10 players at the season’s first major.

“Well, I think it’s normal that they are considered, you know, the one and two favorites for the tournament,” said Federer, emphasising the word “considered”.

“Of course, we do believe we can knock them off, yes,” he added, referring to the other members of the world top 10.

Federer has more Grand Slam titles than any other player but only one, Wimbledon 2012, in the last four years. He is currently ranked at world No 6.

But Federer is hoping a switch from a 90-inch to a 98-inch racquet, and the arrival of boyhood hero Edberg, will pay dividends.

“I mean, look, my life on tour is pretty much settled. It’s always solid routines. He’ll just fit in nicely into that,” Federer said of the six-time Grand Slam title-winner.

“I’m just really excited that he’s taken up the offer because I didn’t think he was going to do it because he’s got a life. He doesn’t need this.

“For me, clearly it’s very exciting to have him as part of the team. I’m looking forward to every week I’ll spend with him on the tour this year.”

He added: “That’s kind of what’s very exciting, just hanging out with him. That was the idea, as well.

“If it didn’t work out, he would say, ‘I’m not ready for this’, at least I would have had a few nice dinners with him and able to spend time with a childhood hero, which would have been plenty to fuel my motivation.”

Federer won the Australian Open in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, and has not failed to reach the semi-finals since 2003.

He will be competing in a record 57th consecutive Grand Slam tournament, beating the mark of 56 set by South Africa’s Wayne Ferreira.

The Swiss great begins his tournament against Australian hope James Duckworth, with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic all lurking as potential opponents.

However, he said he had little time for analysing the draw and whom he may or may not have to face.

“A draw is a draw. You guys debate it, I play in it. That’s basically it,” he said.

Murray not getting his hopes up for Australian Open

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray on Saturday said he was not getting his hopes up for the Australian Open after a long injury lay-off and that he could not predict when he would again be back to his best.

The Scot underwent a back operation in September, missing the rest of the season, and his preparations for Melbourne, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in last year’s final, have not been good.

The world No 4 crashed out in the second round of the Qatar Open to German Florian Mayer, the world No 38, and then went down to veteran Australian Lleyton Hewitt in an exhibition match on Friday.

“Obviously I need to be pretty patient with myself and not expect too much,” said the Britsh No 1. “But you never know. I’ve done a lot of training the last few months. It’s just I haven’t played many matches.”

“So, you know, if somehow I can work my way into the tournament, feel a little bit better every day, then I might start to raise those expectations,” added the 26-year-old.

“But for now they’re not going to be obviously as high as they were the last few years. Just concentrate on my first match.”

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