Roger Federer retirement predicted: Mats Wilander reveals when legend could quit tennis
ROGER FEDERER could still be a threat in Grand Slam tournaments for another four years, claims Mats Wilander.
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Federer is a 19-time Grand Slam champion, having won the Australian Open and Wimbledon to maintain his three-tournament lead over Rafael Nadal in the all-time list.
The Swiss will attempt to defend his Melbourne crown on January 15 and with the majority of his main rivals battling injury, remains a heavy favourite to do so.
And even in the year in which he will turn 37, Wilander believes Federer still has plenty more to give.
“I think he can play for another two or three years but maybe he could still be dangerous in the Grand Slams when he’s 40 years old,” said Wilander, a seven-time Grand Slam champion himself.
“I think he’ll play fewer and fewer tournaments every year as he knows now he doesn’t have to play tournaments to win a Grand Slam because of what happened last year with the Australian Open.
“With his style of play, his talent and the way he works - he works much harder than people realise - I think he can at least be a danger in Grand Slams until he is 40.”
Along with Nadal, 31, Federer has led a resurgence of the older players and at full fitness, the pair would sit alongside Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, both of whom are now 30, at the top of tennis.
And while Wilander admits the extra longevity of the modern player is making it harder for the young players to break through, he also thinks there is a flaw in the coaching system.
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“I believe that [the problem for] younger players is that there are very few 20-year-olds who are as Lleyton Hewitt was or Rafael Nadal was or Novak Djokovic was or Andy Murray was,” Wilander added.
“I think we are most probably over-coaching these kids at an early age where once they get on the professional tour, they have to solve the problems themselves on court and you have to live like a professional.
“They don’t get to learn by themselves.
“They are taught and when you are taught, you don’t create your own path, your own lifestyle, your own beliefs.
“It takes them a few years on tour to understand what they need to do to accomplish what they want.”
***Mats Wilander will be commentating at the Australian Open for Eurosport. Watch all of the action from Melbourne live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player from Monday 15 January.***
