Federer plans decade of dominance

Roger Federer has warned his rivals that he plans to go on for another 10 years as he looks to add to his growing number of Grand Slam titles.
Federer has 12 Grand Slams to his name and is determined to surpass Pete Sampras' record of 14.

"My goal is to play for as long as possible, hopefully until I'm 35," said 26-year-old Federer.

"I was hoping to break his record this year but it looks a tough task now after losing the Australian Open."

Federer exited the season-opening Slam at the semi-final stages in January, losing to eventual winner Novak Djokovic.

It has made his attempt to surpass Sampras' record this year extremely difficult, but the Swiss star still feels he can draw level with the American legend.

"I think it would be a good result for me if I tie it this year," he said.

"Obviously, (the French Open) is a big goal for me. I hope it's not the one that will elude me.

"I've heard people say that this is probably my last chance, but I totally disagree. I think I have a few more years ahead of me if I can't do it this year."

Earlier in the week British number one Andy Murray suggested that Federer would look to "taper down" in the next four or five years, but Federer is determined to dominate for years to come.

The Swiss admitted to being devastated after he was beaten in Melbourne but is refreshed and ready for his assault on the French Open in May.

"The first moment it hits you hard, you really are disappointed," he said. "Then the next day when you wake up, you feel a bit better if you think that you had given your all.

"But I feel refreshed and relaxed now as I haven't been practising at all."

Federer was speaking at the Laureus sports awards, where he won the Sportsman of the Year title for a record fourth year in a row.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7251737.stm

Might just be my reading of that, but that all sounds a bit defeatist.

Doesn't sound like he truly believes he can win the FO - which in all fairness he might not be able to - but it'd be nice to hear him being positive about it :unsure:

Sure but winning 3 of the last 3 is a big task isn't it?

I would think he has 3 more years to win the French.

I think he's smart to be realistic. And it's nto doom and gloom cos he does seem to be expecting to win 2 out of the next 3 slams. :D

Anyway I ma glad he aims to carry on for 10 years because players like him make the game interesting as they get older. They might nto be as consitent and have mroe competition, but boy are they dangerous in a slam. Look at Martina N when she was playing Wimby and competing with Seles aged about 35. Fed will never lose his talent so as long as he is fit, once he isn't the favourite all the time he'll be a huge danger when he plays freely and get son a roll. Plus I'm sure he will disgrace a few top youngsters along the way! :D

Very refreshing news. I hope he's around for as long as he possibly can-physically & mentally. I don't know when his next tournament is but I'm sure he's rested and ready to fight. :kpow2:

Fed had previously said he planned to tell everyone he was going to carry on until he was 35 to halt any further questions on that subject. Pretty smart move!

I think the interview shows a good injection of determination and realism - valuable combination.

I agree with Tenez that he's got a few years to go before giving up on RG - and let's not forget that he's accredited himself pretty darn well there. He's a great clay court player - because he's faced arguably one of the greatest clay courters of all time, combined with the "but he's Federer, he can't lose" feeling, I think that sometimes gets forgotten. I know I am guilty!

Breaking news ... the bbc have changed the title from "decade of dominance" to "decade of success" ... :rolleyes: