Former No. 1 Roger Federer says that despite winning just one title in 2012—his lowest total since 2001—he believes he is improving every year and has high hopes for 2014.
Speaking to Australian reporters to promote his January 8 charity event in Rod Laver Arena, “A Night with Roger Federer,” the world No. 6 says he remains optimistic.
"I always believe that I have improved over the last 10 years, you know, that I've not gone backwards, and I've been able to win (the Australian Open) 10 years ago, so I always feel as I move forward I am a more complete player, a better player," Federer said. "That's why I will always believe that I can win, as long as my body is holding up and mentally I'm really hungry traveling the world and playing matches, and that is the case right now—I'm very healthy and training extremely hard.
"Some success has come back also at the end of [this] year, which is quite important for me, for my confidence, because I was really in a difficult spot from Wimbledon all the way til Basel, I'd say, with just fighting my confidence and then, particularly, also my back issue. I couldn't really train the way I wanted to for some time, and now it's really picked up again and I think I'm really moving in the right direction."
Federer, who has won four Australian Open titles—his last in 2010—added that he is looking to peak in Melbourne. He will begin his season playing the Brisbane International for the first time.
"I really hope to be playing my absolute best (in Melbourne), which I really think is possible, and then anything is possible for me, I personally believe that,” the Swiss said. “It's just important for me that I play better against the top guys. It's not been bad this year, but I just didn't land enough wins, so that's something I want to improve for this year."