La Gazzetta Dello Sport had an interesting conversation with Roger Federer. Here's an excerpt: The talk began with Federer talking about the changes in his coaching team with Ivan Ljubicic replacing Stefan Edberg as Federer's coach at the start of this year: 'The approach is totally different.

With Stefan the relationship was more global, he was busy with all the aspects of the preparation. With Ivan is different, there was a generational change because he played many of the opponents I play still today and so I have a different mental prospective and more knowledge.

It's not that he is not a tennis player anymore, if i can say it, and it's what I needed in this moment.' The conversation then moved onto the future of his career. Federer had quite a philosophical response as he said, 'I know I am not eternal, it's normal, and to say the truth it's from when daughters born, seven years ago, that I started to ask questions to myself about the future.

But then the body sends positive signs, despite the operation, my family supports me much and is happy to travel around the world with me. When the body will not keep up and at home they will be tired, I will stop. But I do not think that will happen so much soon.

I still enjoy much playing, so you will see me for a few more years.' About Rafael Nadal's Monte Carlo win and possible comeback, and whether he'd had any doubts about it, Federer said, 'Zero. Absolutely not.

Maybe you journalists were upset, but we players of course were not. A guy who won nine times in Paris, nine times in Monte Carlo, who was world no. 1 for much time does not lose his qualities. Maybe we have come to expect to him to recover faster from injuries, but I cannot imagine Nadal at such a low level, to me he is always there at the top.

And on clay, he is still one of the first two or three players in the world.' Then, when asked to choose between Nadal and Djokovic as the best player on clay, Roger confidently replied, 'King of clay is Rafa. He is the tennis player to beat.

Novak's never won in Paris. Maybe now he's the favourite but Nadal is Nadal. I am happy of what he showed to those, who did not believe that he could win in Monte Carlo.' Federer, who's had exciting rivalries with both Nadal and Djokovic also shared about this experience and added that both rivalries have been different.

'Rafa had an early break through, our best moments often happened at the same time, some of our matches became historic. Unfortunately against him I had some of the toughest loss in career. And then he is lefty, I had to find different ways to compete with him.

Let's say that at the beginning Novak was the man I faced in the semi-finals and Nadal was the man in the finals, now the situation is the opposite. This is also because of Djokovic's strength. But I think my rivalry with Rafa attracted more fans,' he explained.

What does he prefer? Win Olympics or a Grand Slam? 'I would not Reply. It's impossible. Slams are our daily matter, let's say that, and Roland Garros 2009 was the most emotional win even more than Wimbledon, because I fought for it so long.

But Olympics take place every four years, it's something different, you represent your Country, you meet all the athletes of the World. I cannot choose, really. We see what happens.' A few weeks ago, we saw photos of his daughters playing tennis.

But Federer doesn't want them to be solely focused on tennis. 'No no, simply tennis is one the many sports I would like them to play to have fun and to stay healthy. Meanwhile they stay with other children, laugh, run, move and that's important.

But they swim and ski too, so it will be their own choice,' he clarified, yet again. Much interest as there's interest about Federer the player, there's equal amount of interest about his life outside the court.

What does Federer's off-court life like: 'I try to be there as much as I can, I try to spend much time with my children. I am aware that my life is particular, maybe I would like to spend Christmas in our favourite place and instead you are in the other part of the World.

But your home is where there is your family, so my home is simply with them.' And since he's such a great sportsman, it's natural that Roger Federer is regarded as a great sporting icon. When asked about this, Federer said, 'There are so many sportsmen who were very popular before and there will be many after.

Of course hearing that your face or your way are the ideal testimonials because they transmit something positive, makes you satisfied. It means that your sacrifices and work paid off.' The interview concluded with an interesting and unlikely question.

That, given the terrorist incidents that have taken place in planes and airports, whether Federer's been afraid of travelling. Federer's answer was simple. 'I think about theTwin towers, a tragedy happened after the 2001 US Open final, and about the attacks in October in Paris just after the Bercy tournament.

We can all be targets, but they cannot dominate our mind because of fear. I take airplanes almost every day, but I do not want to not live normally,' he said. ALSO READ: Rafael Nadal: ´My motivation? Winning a Grand Slam. Djokovic? He arrived in Monte Carlo as unbeatable and...´