NEW YORK: Roger Federer is feeling the magic once again and that can only spell trouble for his opponents in the US Open.
The glitzy yet gritty final grand slam of the year begins on Monday and Federer, five-time champion, is anxious to reclaim the title he last won in 2008.
“I felt good last year, but probably felt that maybe at times the matches were not always in my racquet, whereas maybe this time around I feel like if I’m playing well I can dictate who’s going to win or lose,” said Federer.
“It’s going to take something special from my opponent to win. That’s kind of how it feels right now.”
The 31-year-old Federer won a seventh Wimbledon crown – his 17th grand slam title – this year and regained his spot as the best player on the planet. He is the top seed at Flushing Meadows.
With an injury sidelining Nadal, Djokovic avoids Federer or Murray until a possible showdown in the final. But the Serb denied he had a dream path through the tournament.
“I don’t think there is a perfect draw, to be honest with you,” he told reporters. “The draw is something that you cannot affect. It’s a question of luck, obviously.
“There are 128 players here who have plenty of motivation to perform their best in the grand glam, so I’m sure that they want to cause some upsets in the opening round.
Murray, who lost to Federer in four sets in this year’s Wimbledon final but gained his revenge at the London Games, comes into the two-week US Open with some momentum.
“Obviously winning the Olympics was the biggest win of my career, that’s for sure,” said the Scot, who is still chasing his first slam.
“It meant a lot to me. The Wimbledon final, I mean, that’s the first time I have been there. I was happy with the way I played.
“It was obviously disappointing, a tough one to take for a few days afterwards.”
Though he is playing well, Federer declined to predict a win at Flushing Meadows, saying there is always the possibility of a first-round shocker.
“I will take it one match at a time… I will never ever underestimate an opponent ever again. I did that enough when I was a teenager.
“I do have this one left for me this year where I really, really want to do well, and I couldn’t be more happy returning here as number one. It’s super exciting.” (Reuters)