Speaking to the press in his second home of Dubai, Roger Federer admitted that 14 13-time winner Rafael Nadal could overtake his 17 record haul.
“Could Rafa [Nadal] eclipse my [Grand Slam] record?” Federer told the Gulf News during a presser earlier today. “Yeah, absolutely. But the good thing is I am still playing and my goal is to add more titles to my count — and not just Grand Slam titles. I love any tennis tournament I play in and Dubai is an important tournament for me.”
Under new coach Stefan Edberg and with his back healthy and a new racquet, Federer reached the semifinals at the Australian Open then helped Switzerland to defeat the Serbs in Davis Cup.
“I am playing top tennis,” Federer continued. “For me it’s just a matter of staying healthy, staying consistent and getting to semis and finals. I feel as if I’m in as good a shape as I have been for a year, so that’s very encouraging. I feel my best tennis is around the corner.
“I know I’ve said that a few times, but this time I really feel it’s the case. I have zero pain and spent a very encouraging month in Dubai training in December. I am confident for the year ahead.”
In December Federer said it could take him until April for him to get back up to speed with his health and fitness.
Seeded fourth behind Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro and Tomas Berdych, Federer will open play Monday in Dubai against Benjamin Becker. He’s seeded to meet Dmitry Tursunov in the quarters and Djokovic in the semifinals.
Federer has won Dubai five times most recently in 2012.
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