Roger Federer: In My 30s, I’m Still A Great Player
In a special Gillette sponsor media conference, Roger Federer met the press yesterday to announce he will play a series of tennis exhibition events in South America at the end of the 2012 season.
“We’re hoping to put together an entire tour,” Federer said. “This is the announcement for Brazil, that I will be playing two matches in Brazil. We don’t know what cities yet and against whom exactly, but it’s gonna be happening at the beginning of December, Gillette Tour. I’m happy that one of my long time sponsors, Gillette, are sponsoring the tour. Colombia has announced as well that I will be playing in Colombia, so we are looking for maybe one or two more places to play.”
Federer said his opponents in Brazil is still undecided, but he will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Colombia.
In the immediate future, Federer still has a big bullseye on winning the summer Olympics at Wimbledon.
“Well, it’s obviously very big,” Federer siad. “Particularly this one is special because it’s going to be held at Wimbledon. For us, the tennis players, we’ll never see that again in our lifetime.
“So I really hope I’m in the best shape. If I’m playing well, I know I’ll have a shot for the title. To have the Olympics held this year at Wimbledon is, for us or for me personally something very exciting.”
And at age 30, Federer agrees he’s playing some of the best tennis of his life.
“I have played some of my best tennis now since I have turned 30 last August,” Federer said. “I expected it, that it was possible, but I’m happy to prove it to myself and maybe some people. Just, you know, prove it to my fans that, you know, they’re right. That I’m still a great player.”
Despite his recent run of three straight titles, 15 consecutive match wins, Federer is wary he could lose at any moment.
“It’s given me a lot of confidence and I played amazing in Indian Wells under the circumstances,” Federer said. “And also the last two in Rotterdam and then also in Dubai, you know, I played some great tennis. I’m just happy I have been able to win six out of eight tournaments. It’s special. I come into this tournament hoping to survive the first round. Let’s be honest, that is my focus right now.”
Federer opens Saturday against American upstart Ryan Harrison, who the Swiss beat at Indian Wells last year.
“I think he’s very talented,” Federer said of Harrison. “I’m sure he’s gonna be making his move up the rankings very easily this year and the coming years. He has a big game. Obviously he’s the classical American hard court player. But he’s also got some good defensive skills and has a lot of good confidence, I’d say. That’s why it makes him a very difficult opponent in the first round here.”
More from Federer on the Olympics:
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