article main image
Roger Federer targeting US Open success as Swiss legend declares: 'I'm in best shape in years'By Evening Standard

Roger Federer believes he is in the best shape "in years" heading into the US Open as he targets a 20th Grand Slam triumph.

The 38-year-old hasn't won a Major since the Australian Open in 2018 and friendly foes Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are closing the gap at the top following their triumphs at Roland Garros and Wimbledon respectively.

Federer did, however, reach the semi-finals in both tournaments and played out one of the best finals in tennis history against Djokovic at Wimbledon before a cruel 13-12 defeat in the fifth set.

That performance suggested Federer was still playing at an extraordinarily high level despite his advancing years, and the Swiss legend believes he is in prime condition heading to Flushing Meadows.

"I'm not putting extra pressure on myself. I know it's going to be tough," he said.

  • Read more

US Open 2019 | All you need to know

"I'm not coming in as the overwhelming favourite like maybe I did back in 2006 or 2007. I'm very much aware of how I need to approach this tournament mentally.

"Two years ago I came in with a back issue a little bit, I had a struggle early on with five-setters. Last year I struggled with the heat against (John) Millman. Obviously in 2016 I missed it entirely.

"We were saying on the practice court two days ago that this is probably the best I've felt in years coming into the US Open again, which is encouraging.

"I've been playing well, and playing well in the slams recently, which has been great. I think also the win over Rafael in the Wimbledon semis was big for me. Also the final, the way I played that, is going to give me some extra confidence."

Federer, who said he went caravanning with his four children to get over his Wimbledon defeat, crashed to a shock 6-3, 6-4 loss by Russian qualifier Andrey Rublev in Cincinnati earlier this month - a result which he insists might help in the long run.

"I'm happy where my game is at," he added. "Cincinnati might be a good thing that I lost early, who knows?

"It's maybe one of those things that sometimes needs to happen, like when I won at the Australian Open, went to Dubai, lost first round in 2017, then went on to win Indian Wells and Miami.

"Maybe it's the same thing, I played a great Wimbledon, I needed to get knocked down in Cincy, to get my act together, train hard.

"That's what I did. I'm ready for the US Open. It's going to be a tough tournament to win, no doubt about it. I feel like I'm part of that group who can do it."

Additional reporting from the Press Association.