Roger Federer: 'I still have energy for the rest of the season'

Roger Federer says he is still fresh and energized for the indoor events, and does not see it becoming common for players to take off the second half of the season.

The 19-time Grand Slam champion is playing this week at his local event in Basel, having won the title at Shanghai a little more than a week ago. But a limited schedule means he is still physically and mentally sharp.

"I was surprised I was not tired," he told *Tages Anzeiger*. "I took three days off, I've been training again since Thursday, doing gym and on court. I feel good.

"I still have energy for the rest of the season. The break during the claycourt season had positive consequences, the [hardcourt season] I just played Montreal and the US Open. It was tough I had to invest so much in the back—massage, stretching, everything. This also requires energy."

Highlights from Roger Federer's first-round win over Frances Tiafoe in Basel:

But Federer added he is concentrating on the tournaments rather than on getting the No. 1 ranking, especially since he is still more than 2,000 points behind Rafael Nadal.

"I am not playing for that," he said. "I try and win because it's Basel, and in London, because it's the World Tour Finals."

While Federer is back playing events, seven of the Top 20 players have announced they are stopping for the season—a bit like Federer and Nadal did in 2016. But he insists that isn't just because they're following his example.

"This is probably a coincidence," he said. "These players are not 22 anymore, they are around 30 and have played a lot. A longer break is sometimes necessary, and could become more common for older players.

"I hope more players will plan breaks during the season, do training blocks and not all be exhausted by the finish of the season."

Federer is the top seed in Basel, an event he has won seven times.

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