Roger Federer says he is looking to relax going into the Australian Open following a successful but busy build-up before the event.
"The game is there and I'm feeling really good right now," said Federer, who won his 1,000th match and 83rd title at Brisbane.
"Usually I played great at the Australian Open. I think I've been doing 10 semis now in a row at the Australian Open," he said. [It's actually been 11 in a row.]
Federer contrasted his current form with the previous year, which he said "was different just because I came off a tough 2013, had a new racquet, Stefan Edberg joined the team. I had the back and everything. I played much better than I thought I could and would. So, I feel much better going into the tournament this year."
"But, that doesn't mean a thing," Federer added.
Having played five matches at Brisbane followed by an exhibition against Lleyton Hewitt, Federer will be taking a few days off before the Australian Open starts. He is also conscious that he is coming into this year following a long season, which included playing the Davis Cup final, as well as a busy off-season during which he participated in one of the four International Tennis Premier League (ITPL) competitions.
"The off-season didn't feel like an off-season, to be quite honest. I'm not saying that to joke around in anyway," he said. "I only had eight days off. Went back to practice, I went to India—I mean, it was like one and a half, two days. Went back to practice, practiced with Thanasi [Kokkinakis] in Dubai. Went to Switzerland, played a charity match there with Stan [Wawrinka] for my foundation on the 21st [then] had Christmas at home, which was so nice. Then came back to Dubai, practiced there with [David] Goffin and then came here.
"That's why I'm really looking forward to rest now. It's most important for me to recover now, rather than actually practicing and trying to feel better."