Roger Federer's expectations higher for Wimbledon than for French Open

Is it too early to start talking about No. 19?

Probably, but after Roger Federer took home his 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open last week, it’s natural to consider what lies ahead.

The Swiss, seeded 17th in Melbourne, stunned just about everyone by winning the tournament after sixth months off the tour. Now in form and healthier than he’s been in a long time, the 35-year-old has his sights set on padding his major-title record.

Always a realist, Federer knows that his best chances to win another major will be at Wimbledon and in New York, rather than Roland Garros.

"Wimbledon over Roland Garros, yes,” Federer said, according to ESPN.com. “On the grass, I've got a lot of tournaments there. I play Stuttgart and Halle. So I guess Wimbledon, I know I have a better shot there ... But at the French Open, if you're not in the draw you can't win it. So I hope to be in the draw this year, not like last year.

"The U.S. Open, actually, I also think I have a good chance to do well there, but let's enjoy this one first.”

Federer, who won the French Open in 2009 to complete the career Grand Slam, missed the tournament in Paris last year, ending his 16-year Grand Slam appearance streak. Of the four majors, he’s had his most success at Wimbledon, winning it seven times. Federer also has five U.S. Open trophies. (He won it every year from 2004-08.)

Despite Federer’s heroics in Australia, the jury is still out on how the remainder of his season will unfold. After enduring the most injury-plagued year of his career in 2016, he battled leg and groin pain towards the end of the Australian Open. He’s currently taking some time to heal, but at his advanced age, physical questions will always persist and concerns will be raised about his durability.

"I feel OK,” Federer told ESPN.com. “I am very tired right now. My legs hurt like mad, and my back's stiff now, too, because I didn't take any treatment—plus I was dancing ... I'm still on a high. I'm going to crash eventually, but that's OK. And, like I said, in a week's time I think the pain in my legs will go away, which is going to be nice."

With the title in Melbourne, Federer moved from No. 17 to No. 10 in the ATP rankings.