Roger Federer: I’m Not Just Playing For Grand Slams! [Video]

by Tom Gainey |

Roger Federer opens his summer hardcourt campaign tonight in Toronto. Earlier, the 17-time Slam winner gave an insightful interview about where his game is, including a revelation that his focus as he approaches 33 years of age later this week is not just on the Grand Slams.

“No they are not and people think they are,” Federer said about Grand Slams being the most important thing. “Just because Pete Sampras once upon a time he said ‘for me its all about the Slams’. And then I think everybody figures that for all the top guys have guys like me or Rafa its only about the Slams and which it is not for me.

“That’s why I’m here in Toronto that’s why I play a full schedule on the ATP Tour. I play from January to November.”

And Federer, who made the Wimbledon final, thinks he can still pick up another major.

“Clearly I hope so,” Federer said of the prospect of winning another Slam. “Regardless of which one it is, which surfaces it is, I believe I can go very deep and all these tournaments frequently. It’s just about staying healthy for me and mentally fresh and motivated and that I am. So I’m excited for the US Open now but the the focus clearly is now on Toronto.”

Federer also talked about the new crop of young stars, but the Swiss cautioned they’ll still have to wait because of the point system and the strength of the Big Four.

“I think that’s the tough part for the younger guys because you usually to have to come through the big three, big four, once or twice a tournament to win it. And because they’re not ranked top four yet they may even have to beat three or four top 10 players and that’s just is a hard thing to do for anyone. So maybe that’s why things going to take a while.

“I think Murray is getting back to his back in shape,” he added. “I’m playing well again and also Novak and Rafa anyway are playing so well for the last year or so. I still think it’s going to take some time for young guys to really, really breakthrough but no doubt they have made a name for themselves and I think we have interesting times ahead.”

Federer plays tonight against Canadian Peter Polansky.

“I will be playing on hard courts until Indian Wells next year. So from that standpoint it’s just like a lot of hardcore tennis up such as about getting used to it. Hopefully playing well here. I’m not playing quite that well in practice so I’m little bit disappointed but then again I might be jet lagged a little bit. It is still early in the hard court season but that’s why I think the first round is huge for me now here just getting into the tournament then anything maybe is possible.”