Roger Federer Admits It Has Been a Tough Couple of Years

Written by: Staff on 9th July 2012

Roger Federer wins seventh Championship title

Roger Federer Admits It Has Been a Tough Couple of Years

epa03300988 Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his victory over Andy Murray of Britain in the men's singles final for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 08 July 2012. EPA/PAUL GILHAM / POOL |

With a seventh Wimbledon title and a record 17th Grand Slam success to his name as well as being reinstated as world no.1, Roger Federer now admits he has successfully come through what he terms ‘a tough couple of years’.

Federer’s four sets win over Andy Murray ended a long wait for Grand Slam success, stretching back to the Australian Open of 2010 and a barren spell of nine major events is the worst the 30 year-old has suffered in since winning Wimbledon for a first time nine years ago.

He of course paid no heed to suggestions that advancing age, along with the dominance of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, decreed his collection of major prizes was already complete. Federer was convinced he was capable of winning more and said: “I knew how close I was for the last few years but some people didn’t quite see that.

“I think the belief got me to victory against Andy, and almost did in some other ones in the last couple of years as well, like when I lost to Rafa in the final of the French last year. I think it was a time where I just had to believe that things were going to turn around for me and I think I’m playing some of the best tennis of my life right now.”

Federer admitted his record-equalling seventh London SW19 triumph, tying him with Pete Sampras, had come as a relief. “When it all happened I was just so happy that it was all over and that the pressure was gone basically,” he said. “I guess that came due to the tough loss I had here last year. There were a couple of tough moments for me the last couple years.

Now Federer will prepare to return to the All England Club in three weeks time in his quest for an Olympic gold medal and after that comes the campaign for yet another Grand Slam title in New York which would take his US Open collection to six.

The Swiss maintained he used other sporting icons as examples to preserve he dedication to excellence. “I drew a lot of inspiration from other great athletes in other sports,” he said.

“I think like Pete [Sampras] and [Stefan] Edberg and [Boris] Becker, maybe [Michael] Jordan, Tiger Woods, Valentino Rossi. They inspire me to keep on pushing further.

“Not just being happy with world No. 1 or being happy with a Grand Slam title, but maybe to reach for more. Then obviously I have to drive myself. But you sometimes do need to see someone else do it for a long time so that you feel it is actually possible.”

Topics: Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Roger Federer comments, Sports, Tennis News