SW34 is TENNIS.com's Wimbledon blog that will provide on-site news, insight and commentary about a pair of legendary 34-year-olds, Roger Federer and Serena Williams, as they look to once again triumph at the All England Club.
WIMBLEDON, England—Roger Federer is set to embark on his journey for a record eighth Wimbledon title, while his esteemed colleague, fellow 34-year-old Serena Williams, is seeking her seventh.
Like most everyone on the planet, Federer has taken notice of Williams’ longevity at the top of the game, something the two share.
“Well, obviously she’s got great chances [at Wimbledon],” the world No. 3 said at his pre-tournament press conference. “I think she’s a great player, unbelievable career. A few years back, I didn’t think she would still be playing right now because she looked like she was maybe on the way out. I don’t want to say not so interested anymore, but she was only playing, well, not as many tournaments as other players would be playing.
“Maybe that was good for her in some ways to pace herself, still be hungry later on. And she is. I think maybe now she wants it more than ever.”
Time off, be it by her own decision or injury, has worked out for Williams, and Federer hopes it can serve as an unexpected benefit at Wimbledon. While Williams has been fairly healthy this year, Federer has suffered from a variety of ailments, playing just six events altogether.
His first hurdle this year was a torn meniscus after the Australian Open, which sent him to surgery for the first time in his long career.
“I just got really disappointed and sad about it because that’s when I really understood what the road was going to look like,” Federer said. “My recovery actually was very quick and very good.”
Federer’s return to full form was thrown off by more unexpected physical troubles. A stomach illness forced him out of Miami, and a back injury hindered his clay-court season so severely that he missed Roland Garros.
“Look, this back has won me 88 titles,” Federer said. “So I’m okay with that back. It’s okay if it messes around with me sometimes. ”
Federer’s omission from the French Open ended a run of 65 consecutive Slams appearances. But for Federer, it wasn’t such a big deal.
“I think [what’s been] particularly difficult has been losing ahead of what was to come: Paris, Wimbledon, Olympics, U.S. Open. It’s different than if it happens at the end of the season,” Federer said. “That’s why the decision not playing Paris, for instance, was very easy to be taken because it was for Wimbledon.
“It was for the rest of the season, it was for my life, it was for the rest of my career. That’s more important than two or three tournaments really.”
Being away from the game, even for a brief stretch, has only further motivated the Swiss at his beloved major.
“I think this is a huge boost for me after pulling out of Paris, that I’m back here at my favorite tournament,” Federer said. “With all the success I’ve had here, this is the motivation I need right now to get back on the big courts, play good matches, enjoy Wimbledon.
“I love this tournament more than anything. It’s a huge opportunity for me to maybe turn around the season. Who knows?”