Roger Federer
Roger Federer of Switzerland attends a pre-match news conference at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai, China, October 11, 2015. Reuters/Aly Song

Roger Federer of Switzerland suffered a flu-like illness during the 2016 Brisbane International where he lost in the championship round to Milos Raonic of Canada, 6-4 6-4. However, the Swiss Maestro has vowed to be healthy in time for the 2016 Australian Open set from Jan. 19 to Feb 1.

"I've still got a cough and the throat is a bit weird. Definitely got to make sure I get over it as quickly as possible. As long as I keep on playing and doing all that stuff, it's not going to go away faster,” Federer shared via atpworldtour.com. “So I am going to rest up tomorrow. I also have to see, but then probably hit the practice courts again. In practice, you can manage how hard you're going to do it. Obviously health is No. 1 [priority].”

Federer is aiming for his 18th Grand Slam title in the first majors tournament of the year scheduled in Melbourne, Australia. The 34-year-old Federer won four of his men’s singles record of 17 Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, winning in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010.

Since his last final appearance in the major in Melbourne when he beat Andy Murray in straight sets, 6–3 6–4 7–6(11) in 2010, Federer has not made the championship round at the Australian Open, losing in the semifinals from 2011 to 2014 and got eliminated in the third round last year.

Federer is not too worried about his illness saying that he had a great off-season and that is something he can use as a build up for the upcoming big tournament. Federer estimated that he’d be 100 percent healthy in three to four days.

Federer is seeded third at the 2016 Australian Open behind World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray but remains a constant contender among the field.

RELATED STORIES