Federer anticipates great 2017

Roger Federer believes he is going to have a 'unique' year in 2017 after missing much of the current year due to injury.

The 17-time grand slam champion confirmed in July he would miss the Olympics, the US Open and the rest of the season in order to recover from knee surgery.

The 35-year-old had to watch as Andy Murray overtook Novak Djokovic as world number one but believes that after a successful rehabilitation, he is ready to challenge for the game's biggest prizes again next year.

“The goal was to be fully fit by the end of November, early December,” he said. “We knew it was going to take a while to give the knee sufficient rest, not to hurry in the beginning.

"I went on vacation at the beginning of November for two weeks. The last few weeks have been crucial, to see how much load I can put on my legs. We quickly realised [when he resumed training] I wasn’t 100% but it went very well, no setbacks. It’s all great.

“The good thing about the layoff is I didn’t have to have surgery after Wimbledon, two surgeries in the same year. I just had to rest. I could play tennis, standing or walking – but I didn’t need to do it. Just before the US Open I had a bit of a reaction, so it was too early.

"It was always a great feeling to get on the court because I was spending a lot of time in the gym. It’s always refreshing to get back on the tennis court.

“I played well [in practice this month], struggling to find the serve but that is coming on very well. I might practise on the 26th and 27th, and fly to the Hopman Cup on the 28th. I finished my last [fitness] session two days ago with Pierre [Paganini].

"In previous years, after a short off-season, I tried to pack in too much. Also it’s important to be around family and kids at Christmas.

“It’s not like I missed anything. It just felt right, the perfect way for me to take a rest for my body and my game. I’m always travelling with my family, always see them, but it was just nice to see them in one place. Nice to settle, get good routines for the kids. It felt good but also I cranked it up in the gym the last couple of months, It felt good to be busy. It was the right moment to have it.

“This year is unique. Maybe more than any time before I do need matches. There is a different intensity. I remember playing Hopman Cup against Lleyton Hewitt and was in pain for a week with muscle pain.

"I’ve played over 15 sets in practice the last few weeks and I feel I am there. It’s been a great preparation.

“Whoever finishes [2017] as No1 is going to have to win two slams but it’s pretty much on Andy’s racket at the moment. Am I surprised Andy Murray is No1? No. I always expected him to be No1 at some point but finishing the year [in that position] is a different animal. I really respect Andy was able to get it done this way.

"It’s going to be hard for Novak the next few months [in defending ranking points] because of the domination he had at the beginning of 2016. I think Andy is going to hang on for a while but it’s going to be a neck-and-neck race for the next six months.”

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