Roger Federer on Grand Slam No. 20: 'It would be a joke to win US Open'
Roger Federer last Sunday became the oldest man in the Open Era to triumph on the hallowed grass courts of Wimbledon. But even Federer does not expect to win Grand Slam No. 20 at the 2017 US Open (Aug 28. to Sept. 10).
Entering the year as the World No. 17, Federer had not won a major title since the 2012 Wimbledon. Fast forward to July and Federer has maintained a 31-2 win-loss record in 2017, bolstered by unexpected victories at the Australian Open, Indian Wells Masters, Miami Masters, Gerry Weber Open and the Wimbledon.
Federer, who turns 36 in August, never expected this magnitude of success in his 20th year on the ATP Circuit. It's fair to state that a 35-year-old Federer's achievements overshadow all his previous feats. In fact, prior to 2017, Federer hadn't won two Grand Slam events in a year since 2009 when he captured his lone French Open title and sixth Wimbledon championship.
"I was hoping that things were going to play out nicely and that I was going to be in contention in the second week at Wimbledon. To win it altogether? It's like the dream scenario that you hope happens but you're so cautious that you never really want to go there mentally," Federer told CNN Sport while reflecting on his straight sets victory over Marin Cilic in the Wimbledon men's final.
Roger Federer hasn't won three Slams in a year since 2007
Not since 2007 has Federer won three major titles in the same calendar year. That year, a 26-year-old Federer triumphed at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open. Could he actually repeat the feat ten years later?
On the possibility of winning three Slams in a year, Federer said:
"That would be a joke, if I won three slams this year out of nowhere. I know if I stay in shape there are chances for me to do well at the US Open, but to win it? Yeah, at some stage I almost feel like I have to be realistic. I am not 25 anymore. I'm not sure I can win three slams in one year. Winning two is already pretty crazy and plenty good enough for me."
2017 US Open: Roger Federer is the odds-on favourite
For Federer, a third Grand Slam in 2017 could be a "joke." But odds makers and analysts have already tipped the Swiss Master to capture his sixth US Open crown at Flushing Meadows next month.
Federer won five consecutive titles at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center between 2004 and 2008. Since then, the US Open hasn't been dominated by any one player. While Rafael Nadal (2010, 2013) and Novak Djokovic (2011, 2015) have triumphed twice, Juan Martín del Potro, Andy Murray, Marin Cilic and Stan Wawrinka have also enjoyed success at the hard courts in New York City.
But Federer is not exerting pressure on himself to lift his first US Open trophy since 2008. "I'll definitely try and get myself organised, prepared and ready so that I'll have the best chance to do well at the US Open," said the World No. 3.
Roger Federer, who turns 36 on Aug. 8, is still not the oldest male player to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era. Ken Rosewall, at the age of 37 years and two months, claimed that record at the 2017 Australian Open. Federer would have to capture a Grand Slam in 2019 to surpass Rosewall. The 2017 US Open would run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 10.
