Sport | Tennis

Federer is wary, but not worried

Former world No 1 Roger Federer sees the need to be wary of all opponents every time he steps on to the court.

  • Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
  • Published: 23:38 January 8, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer serves during his second-round match at the Qatar Open in Doha.
  • Image Credit: AP

Doha: Former world No 1 Roger Federer sees the need to be wary of all opponents every time he steps on to the court.

"There is potential danger lurking out there every time and one needs to be wary of this, regardless of who they are," Federer cautioned after cruising through into the quarterfinals with a straight-set 6-3, 6-3 win against Andreas Seppi late on Wednesday.

Though happy with the way his game is shaping up during his build-up for the season-opening Australian Open, Federer remarked that the next opponent is always going to be more difficult than the previous one.

"I do know where my game is at the moment, but the next opponent is going to be potentially more difficult," Federer admitted.

This, he added, is true not just for him, but also for any other top-ranked player on the ATP Tour. "There are many young guys out there who want to win against the big chaps. They are just waiting to get any of us the moment we have a bad day on court," Federer warned.

The Swiss ace has every reason to be wary of the rising stars and so-called pretenders on the tennis firmament. Last season was the worst experienced by Federer.

The slide, if at all it can be so called, started off with relatively unknown names such as Gilles Simon, Olivier Rochus, Denis Gremelmayr and Radek Stepanek.

And then there are those at the top including his long-time under-study and nemesis Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal Andy Roddick and Andy Murray.

But he's certainly not worried saying, "I used to worry.. at the start of my career. But I no longer worry now."

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