Seventeen-time Swiss grand slam champion Roger Federer and British tennis star Andy Murray will swap places when the Emirates Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings were released on Monday (EDT).
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Federer is 6-0 when he reaches the finals in Cincinnati, where hes very comfortable with the courts and has a good feeling because of his career success.
“Last year I came in exhausted from five straight matches in Toronto, arrived late, wasn’t sure if I was going to play, decided to play and thankfully I did”, Federer said.
All of the world’s best tennis players are expected to play this year, including Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and John Isner.
“I’m surprised to see how many are still actually playing (of those he competed with prior to turning pro) hang in there and still going”, Federer said. “This dominance is incredible, so I wish for her that she can do it. She still has time, a few more weeks, and she knows what it’s all about and I think it’s going to be a huge focus during New York“. “I think he’s got a good shot, but I think obviously Novak is the man to beat”. Murray’s on a hard court at the US Open, he’s won it there and he’s got to the final there, so he’ll be a contender. Sampras has noticed how negative the 29-year-old Spaniard has become, but feels he can still recover and return to the top. “I think it’s very much a tournament that’s well run in the sense that you’re welcome here and it’s like a family to an extent”.
Just to add some more spice to the Kyrgios show, the 20-year-old world number 41 will face Richard Gasquet in the opening round of the Western and Southern Open – the same player he was accused of throwing points against to in a topsy-turvy fourth round encounter at the All England Club in July. Mentally and physically he’s been out there a while and it’s taking its toll. Im very happy with how Im feeling..
“I think he’ll be fine but it’s not like Roger who cannot play well and still win”.
“When I was struggling, I still felt I was like the best player in the world”.
“It feels like there’s a laundry list of things that’s bothering me”.
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In Cincinnati, Federer – the second seed – has been given a bye through the first round and will take on the victor of Roberto Bautista Agut and Pablo Cuevas in the second round, as he begins his preparation for the US Open. Thirteen years later, Sampras is amazed that 33-year-old Williams is still so dominant that she is now bidding for the final part of a Calendar Grand Slam. “I think it’s great what she’s been able to achieve throughout her career, especially now this late”. But it will be different for her just because of the attention and the media attention.
