Roger Federer's Hold On The World Record For Most Grand Slams May Not Be For Long As Rivals Are Closing In
Roger Federer lost in the Australian Open semis to Novak Djokovic. The odds of him holding on to the record for the most Grand Slams won are growing lesser. Rafael Nadal has 19 to his name and has a good chance of drawing level in French Open.
Roger Federer is considered the Greatest Of All Time. However, after he lost in the Australian Open semis to Novak Djokovic, the odds of him holding on to the record for the most Grand Slams won are growing lesser.
It was a match where he faced injury and he knows that at the age of 38, he may not get too many opportunities to add to his tally of 20 Grand Slams.
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Rafael Nadal has 19 to his name and has a good chance of drawing level in the French Open which is a tournament where he dominates. He's 33.
At 32, Djokovic has 16 to his name and on February 2 has a chance to make it 17, which brings him closer as well.
"Of course, I hope to be back."
¡ª #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2020
That's what we like to hear @rogerfederer ?#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Ttof8tfUEd
Federer turns 39 this year and age is suddenly more than a number.
The last Grand Slam he won was the 2018 Australian Open.
AFP
So while Federer may still wield the sweetest backhand in the game, in the fullness of time it could be his elegant style rather than his record that sets him apart from his peers.
However, the Swiss is not going without a fight and as the years advance, his resilience, if anything, is increasing.
Federer pulled off two breathtaking escapes in the earlier rounds in Melbourne. He was two points from defeat to John Millman and saved seven match points against Tennys Sandgren in the quarter-finals.
After a groin strain in the Sandgren match, rumours swirled that Federer may not even take the court against Djokovic. He admitted that by playing he was risking the first retirement in his 1,513-match career.
"Today was horrible, to go through what I did," Federer grimaced after Djokovic's 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-3 win.
"Nice entrance, nice send-off, and in between is one to forget because you know you have a three percent chance to win."
Grateful to be here.
¡ª Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 30, 2020
Grateful to do this.
Grateful to live this.
Grateful to share this with you.
What a journey! See you Sunday!#8thFinal #AO2020 #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/vYb8buWbBY
Djokovic is well aware of Federer's endurance after their five-hour epic of a Wimbledon final last year when the Swiss held two match points before going down in a marathon fifth set.
AFP
"It's an amazing fact that he has never retired from a match, not a single match, throughout his career. Huge respect for that," said Djokovic.
Federer is not about to retire from the sport either, although he knows injuries could make the decision for him.
"You never know what the future holds. But especially my age, you don't know," he said, when asked if he would be back in Melbourne next year.
"I'm confident. I'm happy how I'm feeling, to be honest. I got through a good, nice training block. No plans to retire."
Urging him on is the feeling that even as he edges towards 40, he is still capable of wringing more Grand Slam titles out of his ageing body.
"Yes, I do believe that," he said, when asked if he still thought he could win multiple Majors.
"I think by having the year that I had last year, also with what I have in my game, how I'm playing, I do feel that, yeah."
