Roger Federer believes it will be hard for the younger generation to emulate him and fellow veterans Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in winning multiple Grand Slams.
“It is definitely hard to see one player right now getting 10 Slams,” said Federer. “It is much easier to say that probably a lot of guys are going to win a Slam or two but winning 10 Slams is not something you can predict, people didn’t predict that with me to be honest.
Fluctuating fortunes
Federer, who came to Monaco on the back of winning the Rotterdam title, admitted fortunes can change with the slightest of tweaks.
“Once you get rolling like Novak and I did all of a sudden you don’t look back, then a few years later you do look back and you have eight or 10 Grand Slam titles, it’s crazy,” said Federer, the oldest World No. 1 in ATP history.
“Confidence and momentum are a big thing. When you unlock your game through success or a coach explains the one ingredient that is missing then that can change things.”
Federer, however, believes the sport will not suffer once the likes of him, 16-time Major winner Nadal, 12-time Grand Slam Djokovic, and Andy Murray finally hang up their racquets.
“The game of tennis always has a way of producing champions and the future has never worried me,” he said. Someone will follow in our footsteps and be a champion.
“We are a shadow over the game, the top guys, and clearly we don’t allow them (the younger ones) to completely flourish but once we are gone I think it will still be very, very exciting.”
Federer believes whilst part of his enormous popularity is down to the success he has enjoyed, it is also perversely to do with how he handled tougher times.
