Roger Federer, amazing 36-year-old Swiss tennis magician that seems to never get older, is having another Grand Slam bid on US soil. The winner of two Grand Slam singles titles in 2017 (Australian Open and Wimbledon Championships) is pushing for something indeed special at Flushing Meadows in New York.
To have him chasing down a third Major throughout a single season is something beyond imagination or to put in better words it was something hard to believe especially after the horror season he went through back in 2016. The knee injury, which was followed by arthroscopic surgery, almost put an to a prodigious career.
To be fair, it would have been an ugly way to have its retirement party.
Federer is trying to achieve something truly special
Fast forward, one year later, he is having perhaps the best season in almost a decade. The numbers are pointing in that direction simply because last time he was bidding for a third Major in a single season was back in 2009.Digging a little bit deeper, last time he went on winning three Grand Slams in a single year was back in 2007, ten years ago. Here is an irrefutable proof of his longevity and true dedication to the sports.
2017 US Open Tennis Championships may end up being the ultimate performance for the Swiss wizard. If he will go all the way winning this tournament he basically will create a celestial milestone.
With 20 Grand Slam titles under his belt, it's hard to believe that someone, at some point in the future, will be able to match his achievement. And, given the way things are standing at the moment, he is pretty much a favorite to achieve greatness in New York. HIs quarter of the draw is a viable one with no serious threat.
With Nick Kyrgios out of the contest, he should have an easy journey, deep in the draw, up until the last eight stages where Dominic Thiem may be a decent test. Nadal looms for the semis and Cilic or Zverev would make a perfect match up for the final. Given the crippled state of men's singles circuit with Djokovic, Wawrinka, Raonic, Murray, and Nishikori off the chart, the list of possibilities is rather short.
Federer trying to beat time
At 36 years of age, it's extraordinary how he is able to find the right balance between tennis and his personal life. After all, he is the father of four ( two pairs of twins) and a beloved husband. To keep playing some outstanding tennis is something that only he can do. Currently ranked third in the world, he has no reasons to think about the possibility to stop playing professional tennis. He still has the game, the skills, the mindset, the instincts to get past everyone out there in the field. Not even Nadal can stop him now as we all saw it earlier this season. And probably that's why a duel against Novak Djokovic would be interesting to watch in 2018 when the Serb comes back.
Federer will probably weigh on the retirement option once all his unique skills won't be enough to sustain a certain level of competitiveness. It's all about that inner spiritual fire that has been burning deep down inside him for the past two decades now.
