Federer defends skipping build-up

Swiss master wants to go into the Grand Slam fresh.

MELBOURNE:

Swiss great Roger Federer warned yesterday he was fresh and eager for more Grand Slam glory as he prepared for his 53rd straight major, defending his quiet start to the year.

The 31-year-old has altered the way he prepares for the big events and skipped any warm-up tournaments ahead of next week’s Australian Open. He said it is all part of his plan to keep competing at the elite level for as long as possible and overtake South African Wayne Ferreira’s record of 56 consecutive Slams.

“I purposely didn’t play a lead-up tournament,” said Federer. “I wanted to be fresh for the beginning, hopefully going deep into the tournament. I think it’s nice sometimes doing it slightly different than every year the same thing. Otherwise it feels like a deja vu and that’s not always a good thing.”

Meanwhile, world number one Novak Djokovic warned Rafael Nadal’s injury woes showed the Grand Slam stranglehold exerted by the top men’s tennis players was not unbreakable.



“I think we can’t predict anything,” said Djokovic. “It’s individual sport, so it only depends from you. Anybody can have what Nadal has at this moment.”

Azarenka ready to defend title

World number one Victoria Azarenka said she is injury-free and feeling no pressure ahead of her Australian Open title defence, saying Serena Williams is the player to beat.

She said she had fully recovered from a big toe injury and excited to be back at the scene of her greatest triumph, where she crushed Maria Sharapova in the final last year.

“I’m happy to be back,” said Azarenka. “I don’t feel any pain when I play. I still have to tape it (the toe), but there is no problem.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2013.