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Roger Federer puts injuries to stars like Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic down to age
by Andy Schooler, at The O2
Roger Federer is putting a spate of injuries to top players in 2017 down to age rather than the demands of the tennis tour.
Grand Slam winners Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka have not played since Wimbledon, other leading names such as Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori have also spent long periods on the sidelines, while even Rafael Nadal's successful season ended with him limping out of this week's ATP Finals in London.
But rather than a heavy workload, court surfaces or heavy balls, Federer believes the high number can be largely put down to the higher average age of players in the modern game. Murray, Djokovic and Wawrinka are all in their 30s.
“A lot of the guys are just touching 30-plus,” Federer, himself 36, said.
“Back in the day, at 30, a lot of guys were retiring. (Stefan) Edberg, (Pete) Sampras, it was like normal at 29-32, to start looking towards the end of your career.
“Now you guys (the media) expect everybody to play till 36. When somebody is injured at 31, it's like, ‘oh, my God, how is this possible?’
“Actually, it's a normal thing.”
Federer, who has been a major beneficiary of Murray and Djokovic’s injury struggles collecting two Grand Slam titles in 2017, added: “I think for the most part it's age, coincidence.
“In the other guys, let's say Nishikori, Raonic, wrist (injuries). Wrist to me is not something that comes from overplaying, especially if it's your left hand. That's just a move I can't relate to because I don't play double-handed.
“From what I've been told, the wrist is always in a troubled position with that flicking that's going on more and more these days.
“The season has been the same for many, many years, as we know. I think just when you get older, you maybe have to manage your schedule maybe a little bit differently.
“But some guys, they just go maybe all out for 15 years, and they do it until you sort of break down, then you just reset.”
Federer, who has already qualified for the semi-finals this week, also admits he has eased back on what he does both on and off court in a bid to extend his career.
Revealing he would not practise at all on Wednesday, the Swiss said: “I know my game's not going to disappear if I take a day off. Actually, it's quite nice to be able to do that, and having the confidence in your level of play that you can actually keep that up.
“So I think I actually have to work less today than I used to. When I do, naturally I do it with quality because I know every practice counts, every fitness counts, every session matters.”
Playing squash, football and even skiing were pursuits Federer used to enjoy in his younger days but those have now been ditched.
But he admits spending time with his four children still keeps him very active.
“The kids keep me busy. I don't have one, I don't have two, I have four. I don't want to be just lying on my couch, as well. But they also have to be a little bit careful that sometimes I don't overdo it.
“I like my time with my kids, and I can't control myself other than just to play with them, as well, and go outside.”