World number two Roger Federer is raring to play and gun for his fifth Australian Open title. The Swiss star opted not to participate in any tournaments prior to his Grand Slam stint in Melbourne this week and will rely on what he has practiced the past few weeks. He will face France’s Benoit Paire in the first round of the 2013 Australian Open.
“Of course, maybe somewhere you do feel more pressure going into the first round,” Federer said.
“I have a lot of experience. I feel like if I’m playing well in practice today, at this age, I know where my game’s at. There’s not going to be any negative surprises because a lot is on your racquet: you do serve, you do move the way you do, and nobody can take away from you. I’m ready to go and eager. That to me right now dominates,” he added.
Federer thinks that there will be new players making their way to the latter stages of this Grand Slam event, citing that Rafael Nadal’s absence in the tournament can only boost their confidence and chances of making it big in Australia.
“There’s always other guys just outside of the Top 10 who I feel can always make a run for it. Obviously with Rafa not in the draw, that might mean for some of the players they only have to beat one of us, of the top three, maybe none. Who knows what the draw is going to do to us? But I think that there could be some guys making deep runs at this tournament,” he said.
“I think many of the Top 10 guys have had a very good season. Look at how great [David] Ferrer’s season was, we know the talent of Tsonga, [Tomas] Berdych won Davis Cup. Del Potro seems solid. He seems back as a contender for a slam,” he added.
Federer had a stellar season in 2012, including reclaiming the world number one ranking and winning his 17th Grand Slam title in Wimbledon. He also won three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles as well as winning the silver medal at the London Olympics.
“I’m hoping for another good year,” said Federer.
“They’re all different in many ways because this last one was very emotional. Obviously getting back to World No. 1 was a major goal of mine for last year.
“I know I won’t win all the tournaments I’ll enter, but it’s important that I enjoy it and I try as hard as I can and put myself deep in the tournaments like I did last year really. I had very few early losses last year, and I hope I can keep up that good streak I have going,” he added.
