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Free of the top seeding, Roger Federer says he’s feeling more relaxed than ever as he closes in on Pete Sampras’s all-time grand slam record.
A pre-Christmas beach holiday in Asia with long-time partner, former Swiss touring pro Mirka Vavrinec, has revitalised the three-time Australian Open champion and whet his appetite for a 14th major title at Melbourne Park.
“I’ve been doing it for the last six or seven years now. I always take at least two weeks. We had a nice time again after the exhibitions in Macau and Kuala Lumpur. It was needed,” Federer said after easing past Italian Andreas Seppi in his first-round match.
“Last season was long and tough. But it was a good one. I finished strong at the Olympics, at the US Open.
“I like to just get away from everything, get away from people, just be alone for a while with my girlfriend. We had a lovely time.
“Then you’re also hungry again to practice. You’re happy to come back on tour.
“That’s always what I look for when I have a schedule, is that I enjoy the tournaments but then also I enjoy being away so that I’m happy to be back again.
“To have new stories, happy to talk to guys, happy to meet the fans, sign autographs like crazy, go out on court and leave it all out there. I like to have these extreme ways.”
The three-time Open champion said Rafael Nadal – after a record stint at No.2 behind the Swiss dominator – relieving him of the top ranking after winning Olympic gold last year had also mellowed him.
“The times when you’re No.1 in the world, you put your head down, you try to win as many tournaments as possible,” Federer said.
“Maybe sometimes you forget to enjoy it as much as you can because everything happens so quickly.
“At the same time, it’s a nice time to be No.1 in the world, having everybody talking about you.
“But I’m getting older. I’m enjoying myself more. I still love the travelling. I love competing out on centre court. Those are good feelings.”
Federer will continue his Open campaign on Wednesday against Evgeny Korolev, the Russian who ousted former world No.1 Carlos Moya on Monday.
“I’ve never played against him,” Federer said. “I was obviously expecting Carlos to come through in some ways.
“I’ve seen him play a little bit, Korolev. He’s aggressive off the baseline. Definitely brought up on a fast court. I guess grew up in Russia, the States.
“It tells the way he plays. I have to be careful. He takes big shots at the ball. I have to make sure I maneuver him around and serve well.”
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