ROGER FEDERER believes the wave of injuries affecting his thirtysomething rivals is just a coincidence.
But the super Swiss showed his softer side when SunSport was hurt while leaving his press conference.
Federer asked if your correspondent was OK after bashing his head on a low-lying camera.
Fine, thank you, Roger – we older blokes are made of sterner stuff, clearly.
But Federer himself believes a 36 year old like him should not be the favourite to win a Grand Slam.
Yet the reigning Australian Open finds himself in that position a year after stunning the world with his own spectacular comeback from injury.
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The absence from Melbourne of injured Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori, and ongoing doubts about the fitness of world No 1 Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka, leave Federer as the man to beat.
The super Swiss was asked to compare his state of mind now to his expectations a year ago when he pitched up in Melbourne for his first Slam after six months out with a knee problem.
Federer said: “Well, totally different.
“It was more of a ‘let’s see what happens’ kind of tournament, maybe similar to what Novak or Stan or others are going through this year.
“It was the tournament of the year for me, no doubt about it. All the five-setters, as well. Having no expectations was so nice after all these years always having expectations, like now this year again.
“With age, I feel like, you know, I play down my chances just because I don’t think a 36-year-old should be a favourite of a tournament, it should not be the case.”
But it is, so…
Federer said: “Well, yeah, maybe that’s some people’s opinion.
“You know, I feel like maybe somebody like a Rafa, with the year that he’s had, and Novak with the six titles he’s had here, even if it’s unknown how he’s feeling, they could very well be the favourites, too.”
Nadal has suggested the men’s tour needs to look at the injury trend, but Federer is less convinced and insists his attacking style of play is demanding on the body just as the baseline grind associated with Djokovic and Murray.
Federer said: “I mean, for me it was a coincidence, you know.
“Then again, I guess it’s a little bit normal, too, not to be always 100% fit and healthy.
“I always said it like the moment I guess you reach 30, it’s normal to maybe have some signs of usage of the body, whatever you want to call it, you know.
“I think attacking tennis also has a lot of wear and tear on the body because being highly explosive is something that’s a big challenge.
“Look, I just think injuries can occur in one single moment when you come down from a serve.
“You’re like, How did that happen? Sometimes you just don’t know. Sometimes it’s unexplainable how certain injuries happen.”
But sometimes, it’s all too obvious, as SunSport proved.
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