Roger Federer said he was “clearly an underdog” for the Australian Open and admitted to some uncharacteristic nerves on Saturday as he pondered a treacherous draw. The 35-year-old, back from a six-month injury lay-off, is seeded 17th at Melbourne Park, complicating his attempt for a record-extending 18th Grand Slam title.
Two days from the start of the tournament, Federer was still in the dark about his first-round opponent as the qualifying rounds continued.”Is it a lefty, a righty? It’s a big deal. Is he a big server, a grinder?” said the Swiss.”A bit of an unknown here the first round because that’s the part of the draw I care most about because of having not been playing.”
Federer’s path is strewn with hazards, as he faces potential matches with Tomas Berdych and Kei Nishikori before a possible quarter-final with world number one Andy Murray.
It’s a prospect to give even the ice-cool Swiss pause for thought as he tries to craft his comeback from the longest injury break of his career, prompted by knee problems.
Federer’s absence raised inevitable questions about retirement, but he said he was delighted to be back in a Grand Slam draw -- even in the unaccustomed role of underdog.”Yeah, why not (underdog) for a change? I mean, I prefer to be the favorite. Underdog is okay. Yeah, it’s fine,” he said.”As long as I’m healthy and I feel like I can go four, five sets, I can go many matches in a row, then I think it’s going to be fun.” - AFP