Australian Open:”A 36-year-old favourite?” – Federer coquettes with his age

Roger Federer is not only the defending champion, but also the top favourite for the Australian Open, which starts on Monday. The 36-year-old, however, flirts with his age.

Spiderman quickly gave up his awe of the Swiss superstar: Roger Federer asked the cartoon character who had become a human being for his racquet on Kids Day. And the Maestro could not be asked twice just before the Australian Open. He smiled and joked, while his four children romped wildly in the stands.

In return, Spiderman could not convince Federer of his magical powers. If the Grand Slam record winner could choose a supernatural talent, it would be “flying”. And many still remember how Federer floated over the courts in Melbourne Park twelve months ago and Down Under celebrated his 18th birthday. major title. And this after an injury break of about six months due to knee problems.

His dream year made him the first contender for the coup at this year’s first major event of the year. I don’t think that a 36-year-old tournament favourite should be,”he said at his press conference in the new media center on Sunday, saying,” That’s why I see things more relaxed at this stage of my career.

Federer reckons with considerable resistance from the usual suspects: Rafael Nadal and returnee Novak Djokovic:”Someone like Rafa, with the last year that he had, and Novak with the six titles that he has won here are also favourites,”emphasized the 19-times Grand Slam champ.

Boris Becker sees things differently:”In principle, I always bet on the defending champion – and that’s Roger Federer,” said the DTB’s men’s representative in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung. Federer’s age is no obstacle to further glorious success for the former US professional and ESPN commentator Brad Gilbert,”He is a very young 36-year-old – and the clear favourite here. I saw him at the Hopman Cup and he played wonderfully,”said Gilbert about Federer, who had triumphed with Belinda Bencic at the unofficial Mixed World Championships in Perth. In the final against the German team with Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber.

Federer will face the Slovenian Aljaz Bedene, number 51 in the ATP ranking in the first round on Tuesday. The legendary Swissman enjoys the days in Australia. His children Charlene and Myla (8) as well as Leo and Lenny (3) are present. Especially the twin boys adore comic figures like Superman, who can fly cool unlike their daddy. But Roger Federer proved his grounding on the other side of the world. When the pre-match press conference was due to end after a while, maybe the best tennis player of all time stepped in and said,”Two questions that are still going on.”