Federer and Nishikori prepare for Wimbledon.
July 6, 2015 Tennis icon Roger Federer has said that he is in his best shape for Wimbledon in years as he aims for a record-breaking eighth title. Federer will become 34 years old in August, but still claims the second spot in the world and is a favorite of SW19.
In 2014 the tennis player came close to winning his first Grand Slam title since he triumphed at Wimbledon in 2012, but lost to world number one Novak Djokovic in five sets. He was asked how he feels about that loss, and said
“I am not sure if last year’s performance actually does anything to my performance this year really,”
“If it does something it goes to show that last year I was playing well. I wasn’t playing great and I made the finals. Again, I did end up playing a great tournament. I played some really good tennis. I didn’t expect myself right away to make the finals. To be honest, I was still somewhat on the way back but things went faster that I thought they would, whereas this year I feel my game is better, I’ve got used to the racquet.
If I do look at last year, I see more the positives than actually the heartbreaking loss in the final.”
He is also ready for his opponents:
“I know I am playing Simone, It is going to be tough for sure, we played five sets last year. He is good on grass. But you know, I had good preparation, I feeling good, I just try to play good match. You know first round it is never very easy, I try to fight through the tough first round.”
Steppiing away from Federer, talented Japanese tennis player Nishikori, has plans of becoming the first Japanese to win a grand slam but feels no pressure. He said
“Actually I don’t feel any pressure from Japan you know because I live in the States. I see all the top players when I was young. And you know even now I try and aim for top five, top three, top two. Especially in the match, you know, I just try to focus what I have to do. I try not to think too much about outside things. I mean, I feel pressure sometimes, but I think I am handling really well.”