Federer Taking Energy from the Mountains

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Federer Taking Energy from the Mountains

Roger Federer says it hurts to miss the U.S. Open but the 17-time Grand Slam champion is happy to have time to retool his health in his native Switzerland. In a special interview with the ATP, Federer says he has spent more time in Switzerland this year than he has over the last fifteen years of his career, and he’s using the time to rehab is injured left knee as well as finding his peace of mind in the mountains.

More: See Part 1 of the ATP's Interview with Roger Federer Here

“Going on hikes, spending time with the family, friends coming over to stay at our place,” is a new staple of Federer’s existence, the 35-year-old says. “Typical day at the moment looks like I’ll probably work out half the day and do my rehab and treatment, and the rest of the day I’m out doing stuff with the kids and spending time with my wife and my friends. It’s pretty simple actually. I’m working like half days. It’s different. It’s unusual.”

Federer says he misses the bright lights and big city environment of the U.S. Open, and playing matches on Arthur Ashe Stadium, but he also sounds like a man who knows he made the right choice for his tennis future.

“It feels odd to sit here in Switzerland in the mountains knowing that the U.S. Open’s going on at the moment,” he said. “I feel like something is missing so of course it hurts but at the same time I’m okay. I’m doing fine, I’m healthy, I’m enjoying a great time with my family.”

Federer says he’s still curious to know U.S. Open results, much to his surprise.

“I catch myself very often checking the scores,” he said. “I’m surprised how much I am looking for the results.”

And the Swiss maestro is also intrigued by the race for No. 1 as Andy Murray has started to threaten Novak Djokovic for the top spot.

“Let’s start with Novak winning the French Open first of all that was huge,” he said. ”That was great for the game and big for him to win all four Slams and achieve that career Grand Slam plus he did four in a row as well so it’s been an unbelievable year for him. He’ll be really tough to beat at the U.S. Open, he’s just that good when it comes to Arthur Ashe and that type of a court, best of five—he’s going to be tough to beat.”

Despite Djokovic’s dominance in New York, Federer is also impressed that Andy Murray has been able to close the gap on the Serb in the race for year-end No. 1.

“Andy has really risen to the occasion, winning Queen’s, Wimbledon, finals of Cincy and of course winning the Gold at the Olympics,” Federer said. “He’s building great momentum… I hope he can keep up a great race with Novak because I think it’s intriguing for the fans and the people who follow tennis—it’s a great story, and particularly if Andy could come even closer to Novak at the end of the U.S. Open for the rest of the season.”

As for his own game, Federer isn’t even practicing on the courts yet. But he feels that investing time in strengthening his core and rehabbing his trouble spots will pay dividends when he does.

“I’m on the right track. I’ve had no setbacks yet,” he said.

Federer says that the mountains are replenishing him. He’s always taken time away from the grind of the tour, but he seems like a man who is really getting a chance to enjoy the quiet life for the first time in a long time in Switzerland. He thinks it’s great for his present, and he thinks it will be great for his tennis next year as well.

“I really enjoy my time in the mountains. It’s so beautiful here. I can’t get enough of it,” he said. “I feel like I’m taking a lot of energy from it. Stepping away from it has always been crucial and key for me. Stepping away from the craziness that I go through on a daily basis… To me it was always really important to step away from the game from time to time…. For me now I get extra time away from all of that so I think when I do come back I’m going to be really, really excited to come back.”

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