• ATP Tour

Coach backs Federer for 20 slams

ESPN staff
January 13, 2011
Roger Federer began 2011 on a high by clinching the Qatar Open © PA Photos
Enlarge

Roger Federer's coach Paul Annacone has warned Rafael Nadal that the Swiss star has the hunger to clinch another four grand-slam titles before he retires.

Federer looked to be on the wane last season when he sank to No. 3 in the world after failing to live up to his usual high stands in the major tournaments, exiting Wimbledon and the French Open at the quarter-final stage.

But he recovered in some style, finishing 2010 on a high by winning the ATP World Tour Finals, before beginning 2011 with a triumph at the Qatar Open. And Annacone, who linked up with Federer in July, insists that he is well poised to carry the momentum forward into the Australian Open.

"I don't see an end to it," he said. "If you look at other athletes who are 29 years old, then he's not ready for a walker yet. He's not in a place where his skills are deteriorating, that's not an issue.

"Is 20 a realistic number? Why not? One of the amazing things about Roger is that he so loves it still. It's not even a grind to go and play the smaller tournaments. When you're as gifted an athlete as he is, you can get through matches without expending too much energy. He just glides through a lot of matches."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices