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Federer inspired by young rivals

MELBOURNE - Swiss champion Roger Federer has put his evergreen form down to the rise of a new generation of young challengers such as his Australian Open final opponent Andy Murray.

At the age of 28, Federer believes he played some of his best ever tennis at this year’s Australian Open on his way to a fourth title in Melbourne, and 16^th Grand Slam overall.

He also extended his own record for consecutive Grand Slam semi-finals to a staggering 23.

Only a year or so after his star appeared on the wane as he struggled to beat Spaniard Rafael Nadal, Federer is again in a league of his own at the top of world tennis.

Federer said the challengers to his dominance were continuously improving, but that it only inspired him to become a better player.

“I feel like obviously I’m being pushed a great deal by the new generation coming up,” he said.

“I always feel sort of tennis changes every five years. Because when I came on tour, matches were played very differently.

“It was more of a bluff game, guys serving well, but there was always a weakness you could go to.

“Today that doesn’t exist any more and I think that’s also thanks to guys like Murray.

“They’ve made me a better player, because I think this has been one of my finest performances in a long time, or maybe forever.”

Despite his impressive start to the year, Federer said he wasn’t eyeing a possible calendar Grand Slam but instead would continue to simply try and win every tournament he plays in.

“I won’t just put the entire calendar just around trying to win the calendar Grand Slam,” he said.

“It’s something if it happens, it does and it’s great, but it’s not something that’s like my number one goal, not at all.

“It’s the same as I haven’t put a number on how many Grand Slams I want to try to win. Whatever happens happens.”

Federer admitted he struggled with inconsistency early in his career — it took him 17 Grand Slams to win his first title — said the secret to his success was a combination of talent and hard work.

“There’s no secret behind it,” he said. “I mean, definitely a very talented player.

“I always knew I had something special, but I didn’t know it was like, you know, that crazy.

“I definitely had to work extremely hard so I would pick the right shot at the right time. But I always knew I had it in my hand.

“The question is do I have it in my mind and in my legs, that’s something I had to work extremely hard at.”

Federer said it was still too early to think about his legacy to the game, but added that he was conscious of his place in history.

“I just think it’s something that’s going to be once I hang up my racquet,” he said.

“I try to be good for the game, leave it better off than when I arrived, even though that’s hard.

“I’m very thankful to the legends of the game who created this great platform for us.”

Despite having ticked the final box in his career resume when he won last year’s French Open, Federer said he had no plans for retirement in the near future.

“I feel my game is not as taxing as other players’ games and I also think I have a very relaxed mind when it comes to the game of tennis,” he said.

“Off the court, it’s a matter of relaxing and enjoying it, you know, seeing friends and families.

“There’s more important things than tennis after all.

“I think that’s something I’ve always had, a clear vision of how my life is.

“I think that’s also helped me to go through better and tougher phases, because I know this is an incredible trip I’m on.

“We’ll see where it ends, I hope not anytime soon.”