Roger Federer is “proud” of his 2018 and confirmed he will be competing next season, albeit admitting he has lots of decisions to make regarding his schedule.
The Swiss, who bowed out of the ATP Finals with a defeat to Alexander Zverev in the semis on Saturday, claimed four titles this year, including a 20th Grand Slam trophy. He also managed to return to the world No. 1 spot in February, and held it for eight weeks in total this season.
“Sampras once upon a time said, ‘If you win a Slam, it’s a good season’. So started great. I played super well in Australia again. So obviously I can’t wait to go back there in a couple of months,” Federer said, reflecting on his 2018.
He ends the year as the world No. 3. Asked if five years ago he would have signed up for a season like this at the age of 37, Federer said: “Yeah, I probably would have. I must tell you I’m very proud that at 37 I’m still so competitive and so happy playing tennis. From that standpoint, I mean, as disappointed as I might be about this match, if I take a step back, I’m actually very happy about the season.
“It’s been a historic season in some ways. Got back to world No. 1. For me, that was a huge moment in my life, to be honest, in my career because I never thought I would get there again.
Roger Federer welcomes introduction of ATP Cup and team events
“Five years ago, where was I? I was probably fighting with back pain in ’13, not sure if I was ever going to figure that back pain out again because I had it for almost probably four or five months of the season. It really rocked my tennis for a bit.
“Here I am having actually a pretty good season physically, as well, won another Slam, got back to world No. 1. So, yes, you can see it as a very, very positive season. That’s probably how I will look back on it, as well, once on vacation.”
Not the result @rogerfederer hoped for but he’s had a fine season, give him a 👏
🏆 @AustralianOpen
🏆 @RotterdamOpen
🏆 @MercedesCup
🏆 Basel#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/AQWBY6olE6— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) November 17, 2018
Federer had some close losses this year, but when pressed to pick a point he’d like to replay from those tight defeats, he told Swiss press he would choose the match point he squandered against Kevin Anderson in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, and the ones he held against Juan Martin del Potro in the Indian Wells final.
Looking ahead to next season, Federer knows a lot of decisions need to be made regarding his schedule, his preparations and everything in between.
“I think we’re eager to see what we’re going to work on exactly. Also what’s the decision on the clay, seeing what’s going to transpire through the vacation, what is my thoughts, all that, then taking the decision at some point in next few weeks on that,” said Federer.
“Yeah, so definitely the plan is to play again next year, and come up with a good schedule that suits my family, suits Mirka [my wife], me. That’s why it’s good that we have time now. Also that suits fitness coach, physio, coaches, and everybody. Yeah, looking forward to that process. I like taking decisions, so it’s all good.”
