Roger Federer has renewed belief he can finally clinch an 18th grand slam in his 18th year on the ATP tour but feels the number of challengers have tripled.
The Swiss great says no longer is it the world’s top 10 who have legitimate shots at glory, as any in the top 30 are capable of grabbing tennis’s biggest titles.
Federer flew into Australia on Saturday morning ready to start 2015 with a bang at the Brisbane International in preparations for a tilt at a fifth Australian Open triumph.
The 33-year-old won his last slam event, a record 17th, back in 2012 at Wimbledon but he pointed to his 2014 record to prove he’s no fading force.
Coming back from a disappointing 2013, Federer won more matches (73) than any player last year and surged back to No.2 in the world behind Novak Djokovic.
He looked set to meet Djokovic in September’s US Open final before both suffered semi-final boilovers at the hands of Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori.
The fact both an “on fire” Cilic and Japan’s Nishikori were outside the world’s top-10, plus compatriot Stan Wawrinka’s Australian Open triumph as eighth seed, left an impression on Federer.
He felt it showed grand slams – thought to be the domain of the Big Four of Federer, Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray – were now more open affairs.
“I guess we can expect great things from many other guys now as well and maybe it’s not just the top 10 guys who have a shot at winning slams anymore but also top 20 and top 30,” Federer said.
“I always thought (the rankings) between five and 20 was extremely close and it showed last year.
“But I still believe the favourites are the ones who are ranked in the top five and top eight.”
Federer can ease into the Australian summer on Wednesday night when he meets either local wildcard John Millman, ranked 156th in the world, or a qualifier in his opening Brisbane match.
Beaten by Lleyton Hewitt in an epic three-set decider last year, the former world No.1 is motivated to add a new trophy to his overflowing cabinet for an 83rd career title.
The Hewitt defeat was followed by a semi-final loss to Nadal at Melbourne Park but Federer showed no signs of slowing down in a year capped by a Davis Cup triumph.
“Overall it was a great season for me,” he said. “I was consistent and I was playing positive attacking tennis just the way I want to play and I gave myself chances at quite a few of the slams.
“This year I hope I can go one step further because going close is not quite good enough.”
