Federer still believes he can beat the best, says media thinks he's 'old'

MELBOURNE—Roger Federer, who lost in the semifinals of the Australian Open to Novak Djokovic, said he still believes he can beat the world No. 1 on the biggest stages.

The 34-year-old Federer has now lost to the Serb in their last four meetings at majors. Prior to Thursday’s match, Djokovic had gotten the better of Federer at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year, and at Wimbledon in 2014. The last time that Federer beat Djokovic at a Slam was in the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2012. That also happens to be the last time the 17-time Grand Slam champion has won a major.

“I have self-confidence,” Federer, who lost in four sets, said. “That doesn't fade away very quickly. I know it's not easy. I never thought it was easy. Best of three, best of five, I can run for four or five hours. It's not a problem. I prove[d] it in practice again in the off-season, no sweat. So from that standpoint I'm not worried going into long rallies. I know you guys make it a different case.

"I get that, because you think I'm old and all that. But it's no problem for me. But it doesn't scare me when I go into a big match against any player who's in their prime right now.”

Federer did beat Djokovic three times last year, in Dubai, Cincinnati, and at the ATP World Tour Finals. But he also dropped five matches to the top player in the world.

The Swiss, who is ranked third, said that he does “need to prove [himself].”

“You need to have all that going,” Federer said. “It's disappointing, but at the same time I'm going deep in Slams right now. I'm having great runs. I thought I had a tough draw here, so I'm actually pleased where my level's at [at] the beginning of the season. Novak right now is a reference for everybody. He's the only guy that has been able to stop me as of late, and Stan [Wawrinka] when he was on fire in Paris. It's OK.

"I wish I could have played a bit better, and who knows what would have happened? Today Novak was very, very good. There's no doubt about it.”