Roger Federer: “I Like Tough Draws, I Don’t Shy Away From Them”
Seven time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer isn’t concerned about having such a tough draw at his favorite tennis tournament. In fact, with the specter of beating Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic to win a record eighth Wimbledon, Federer enjoys the challenge.
“It was never supposed to be easy winning Grand Slams,” Federer said on Sunday. “I’m ready for the challenge. I like tough draws. I don’t shy away from them. There’s, anyway, no control over it. All you can control as a tennis player is who you play and who you face. That’s up to the draw to decide.”
Federer opens play tomorrow against Romanian Victor Hanescu.
“I’m excited that the tournament’s about to start,” Federer said. “I’m happy to be playing. I’m fit. That’s really what matters now sort of 24 hours before my match tomorrow.”
Federer won Wimbledon last year and then reached the finals at the Olympics. His only title this year cam last week in Halle, so grass has been his best surface since entering his 30s.
“I do believe grass, the more you play on it, the more you learn about it,” he said. “Today, I know what it takes, which is a good thing. The excitement is the same. [I’m] still hungry and wanting to win and wanting to prove how good I can play.”
The Swiss has never beaten his three main rivals in the same Grand Slam event, something he very well might have to do.
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