Top
Federer Wimbledon 2021
Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Tennis News, Wimbledon

‘I’m not motivated to keep playing by Djokovic and Nadal success’, says Roger Federer


Roger Federer revealed that the continued success of his great rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal is not the reason he is still playing tennis.

World No. 1 Djokovic has won both the Australian Open and French Open titles this year, and also claimed two Grand Slams last year, while Nadal won the 2020 French Open.

Djokovic and Nadal also each won two of the four majors in 2019. Federer and Nadal are currently tied on a men’s record of 20 Grand Slam titles, and Djokovic is one behind on 19.

World No. 8 Federer is playing in his fifth tournament since the 2020 Australian Open at Wimbledon – having had double knee surgery last year.

“No, I don’t think I’m playing because he [Djokovic] is doing well, or he is doing great things. Same with Rafa. I think I’m doing my own thing,” the 39-year-old Swiss said in a press conference.

“I had problems of my own with the knee, so that’s been the focus. But then again, it’s very impressive to see what, again, he [Djokovic] is doing this year.

“It’s going to be another big one for him in the coming days, there’s always danger in the draw wherever you look. But at the same time, he’s able to have different ways to win matches.

“He’s done incredibly well in Australia, now again also in Paris – that was exceptional of course. And he looks like the big favourite here going into whatever round he goes into.

“He deserves it, he worked extremely hard, and he’s playing great at the same time too. So he’s going to be tough to beat.”

Eight-time champion Federer will face 23rd seed Lorenzo Sonego in the fourth round of Wimbledon.


By
0

Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.