World No 1? All-time Grand Slam record? What's next for Australian Open champion Roger Federer
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Updated 29/01/2018 at 08:55 GMT
Roger Federer is a 20-time Grand Slam champion. We analyse what records are left to be broken for the 36-year-old.
Roger Federer
Image credit: Getty Images
The Swiss moved four Grand Slams clear of Rafael Nadal in the overall men’s standings with a 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 3-6 6-1 victory over Marin Cilic in the Australian Open final on Sunday.
Federer now sits fourth on the all-time list behind Margaret Court, Serena Williams and Steffi Graf, who have 24, 23 and 22 respectively.
But what does he make of his chances of catching Court? And how can he wrestle the world number one status off Nadal? We take a look…
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Roger Federer - 20-time Grand Slam champion
Image credit: Getty Images
‘I think it’s too far’
Despite winning three of the last five major events, Federer dismissed his chances of reaching Court’s tally of 24:
I don’t think so. I didn’t think 20 was ever possible. I think it’s too far. I never thought about it to be honest but those numbers are surreal and they’re amazing. I’m very happy if it stays at 20.
“I’m just very excited that I have nothing going on in the next couple of weeks. It’s all quiet so I can just take time to celebrate. Number 20 is super special so we’ll try to make the most of it. It’s one of the great moments in my career.
“I’m still a little bit confused that it’s all over and that I was able to do it. It’s just a lot trying to take it in. Last year it was more straightforward, just disbelief, this year it seems more surreal. I can’t believe I was able to defend my title after all these years.
‘Maybe next year…’
As Federer waltzed around the Government House in Melbourne with the Norman Brookes trophy, he uttered words that will be music to the ears of his adoring fans.
“I’m not sure how much I really felt like I could defend it. Maybe next year when I do come back I might actually believe I can win it. But then I probably won’t win it.”
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Roger Federer addresses the media at Government House
Image credit: Getty Images
Supporters somewhat panicked when he failed to utter ‘See you next year!’ during his trophy presentation speech, but the fact he has since addressed that shows how far Federer is looking ahead.
How Federer can reach No 1
A more immediate goal for Federer is to reclaim the world number one status from Nadal.
Victory at Melbourne Park moved him to within 155 points of the Spaniard, but given that he is defending titles in Indian Wells and Miami in March, Federer must weigh up his options if he wants to secure the incredible feat sooner rather than later.
Dubai in late February offers Federer the chance to do just that, and he could become No 1 again if he reaches the semi-final (180 Tour points) and Nadal, whose length of absence due to injury remains unknown, fails to feature in the UAE.
However, Federer confirmed himself that he is yet to decide whether he will play in Dubai, while he said he could well have a re-think over the clay-court season, which he opted to miss last year.
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Federer: The fairytale continues for me
“We were in talks with them (Dubai) but then when the tournament started I said, ‘If it’s OK, I’d like to decide after the tournament’. I also have to decide on the clay-court season, all these things are interlinked. It’s possible I’ll play something. The next week or so I’ll make a decision.”
The oldest No 1?
If Federer can overtake Nadal and become No 1 again, it would make him the oldest man to ever top the rankings. Current record-holder Andre Agassi was the oldest number one when he was 33 and 131 days in 2003.
Eurosport analyst Greg Rusedski believes the number one status is beckoning for Federer.
“20 Grand Slams is amazing. I think he will skip the clay-court season, but he will be the heavy favourite again for Wimbledon,” Rusedski said.
It only looks like he is going to continue to win majors. Saying that for a player who is 36 is quite incredible. You can keep going with the superlatives, and I think he will get back to world number one.
“At 36, he’s the healthiest of the lot. Who is going to stop this run?
“He looks at the record books, he says ‘I want to be the oldest number one’, Serena has 23 majors, maybe he wants to catch up with her. He finds a way where he absolutely loves it.
“He loves what he does. He loves being a tennis player. And still having that passion at 36, he doesn’t have the scar tissue other players have at that age.”
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See the moment Federer won his 20th Grand Slam title
But for now…
Fed fans can all relax. He has allayed fears that this was his last Australian Open showing, and the world number one ranking is still there to be achieved.
And though he may not believe Court’s record of 24 Grand Slams is a realistic target, it could be the motivation he needs to play for years to come.
It appears, therefore, that Federer will be there to pass the baton on to the sport's new champion-in-waiting . Who that will be, and when, remains to be seen, but given Sunday's showing, it could be a while yet.
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