Roger Federer says he’s not alarmed by minor back pain which required treatment as the six-time champion raced into the Wimbledon quarter-finals. After beating Xavier Malisse 7-6 (7-1), 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, the 30-year-old said he’s got the fitness situation under control.
“I felt the back going in the first round and I played on it maybe three, four games,” said the Swiss third seed, who then asked for the trainer and got a break (and treatment) when the match was paused for drizzle.
The remarkably fit 30-year-old, who reached a record 33rd straight Grand Slam quarter-final with his win, cited recent circumstances for the problem which he said was not a huge concern. “It must be a mix of the five-setter (previous round over Julien Benneteau) and the two days off and the cold wind. I guess it was unlucky in this regard. Fortunately I pulled out the match the way I did today.”
Federer added: “Honestly I’m not too worried. I’ve had bad backs over the years. I’ve been around. They go as quick as they came.
“Of course I have to keep an eye on it now. I have one and a half days, which is a lot of time, to be quite honest, to work with. Two good night’s sleeps and I’ll be 100 percent on Wednesday. I’m pretty convinced, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to pull out the match the way I did today.”
Topics: Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis News, Wimbledon 2012, Xavier Malisse