Roger Federer can’t guarantee he won’t weep once more at Rod Laver Arena when he attempts to book a blockbuster Australian Open semi-final with Rafael Nadal in his 1000th career match on Tuesday.
The tennis history book is fast becoming Federer’s personal diary and the Swiss living legend will pen yet another chapter when he takes on the rejuvenated Juan Martin del Potro in the quarter-finals.
The 30-year-old will join Jimmy Connors (1519), Ivan Lendl (1310), Guillermo Vilas (1207), Andre Agassi (1144), Stefan Edberg (1076), John McEnroe (1073) and Ilie Nastase (1044) in the exclusive millennium club.
“It’s been a lot of matches and I remember some very vividly,” Federer said.
“Some I’ve started to forget, which I guess is a good sign. I’m taking it that way.”
Federer famously cried in the presence of his idol Rod Laver after winning the 2006 Open and then broke down again following his loss to Nadal in the classic five-set decider in ’09.
He also doubtless shed a few tears behind closed doors after what he still considers perhaps his “worst moment of all” – his Davis Cup capitulation from two sets and 5-2 up against Lleyton Hewitt in 2003, at Rod Laver Arena of course.
“Yeah, I have had some tough losses over the years, but I’ve also had some of the most incredible feelings out there,” said the 16-times grand slam champion.
“I never thought as a kid I would ever cry after I won matches because I always used to cry after I lost every single match when I was sort of from eight to basically 15.
“It was always emotional because I always tried my best and whenever I lost, for me, it was tragic.
“(When) I cried after I have won a match, I was like: ‘What the hell is happening to me?’ I can’t believe I care so much about this sport which I love so much. It came as a surprise.
“But then I had so much success and I could relive those memories. It was really nice and that I’m still fit and healthy and eager to play and hungry. It’s great.”
Federer accepts the significance of his latest milestone – and 31st consecutive grand slam quarter-final appearance – but is trying to approach the quarter-final as “just another match”.
But he is certainly wary of del Potro – and for good reason, having fallen victim to the big Argentine’s baseline ferocity in the 2009 US Open final.
A wrist injury wiped out Del Potro for virtually all of 2010, but he roared back to life to finish 2011 at No.11 in the world after slumping to 485th this time last year.
“He’s coming back awfully strong again,” Federer said.
“I was sad to see that he was out for so long after his amazing year in 2009.
“I thought he had a chance in 2010 to sort of make a run for world No.1.
“Injury came and things obviously changed and now he’s had to have a great year to get back in the top 15 and now he’s making his move to the top 10.
“He’s got massive potential and he’ll be part of the top 10 for probably a long time.
“It’s nice to see him back. He’s a good guy. I’m looking forward to the match. I think it’s going to be a tough one.
“He really came through convincingly in the last two especially. And, yeah, we know the firepower.”
