Federer says don't let big four talk cast a shadow over Wawrinka

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Federer says don't let big four talk cast a shadow over Wawrinka

For years tennis has been inundated with talk of the big four—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray—but Roger Federer tells reporters ahead of the Australian Open that if anything, it’s a big five that tennis has.

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Federer was asked if he felt that the idea of the big four was still relevant on Saturday in Melbourne, given Novak Djokovic’s recent domination, and he quickly pointed out that Stan Wawrinka deserves mention more than other members of the so-called big four for his work in the last two seasons.

“If you're looking at [Djokovic’s] season, he was the most dominant player by far last year,” Federer said. “Then if you look at just who won the slams and the Masters 1000s, doesn't hold truth, because Stan won the French. Nobody else won a slam other than him and Novak. So it completely depends on how you look at it.”

Wawrinka has won majors in each of the last two seasons, something no other player aside from Djokovic can boast on the ATP Tour.

“Who's had the most success? The top five guys really, with Stan, you know, Murray, myself, Novak and Rafa,” Federer said. “Yeah, I still think the same guys are playing very well. But, of course, Novak deserves like a little star next to his name right now because he's been doing extremely well. Same for Stan really. Hasn't been said, he's won slams the last couple seasons and he's going into a third season where he's maybe going to win a slam."

Federer, who was suffering from a cold last week at Brisbane, says he's nearly 100 percent recovered and fit to begin his quest for an 18th Grand Slam title. "Cough's gone, "he said. "The cold's 90% gone. I'm happy. The last couple days I've been able to practice normally. Yeah, no, I'm relieved that since Thursday now I'm better."

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