Roger Federer has spoken about how he has adjusted his training schedule in recent years to maintain his longevity on the tour.
The 34-year-year made the comments in Finland, where he took part in a special exhibition event for his close friend Jarkko Nieminen. Federer participated in a farewell event for Nieminen at a packed Hartwall Arena in Helsinki. During his exhibition match, Federer won 7-6, 7-6, against his Finnish friend.
Whilst playing in Finland for the first time in his career, the 17-time Grand Slam champion told local media that he still has a lot of passion for the sport as he once again brushed aside any retirement speculation.
‘I still enjoy playing tennis, I’ve always had a long-term plan. Every time I go to the tennis court or the gym, I enjoy it”. Federer recently said.
The Swiss has participated in 64 consecutive Grand Slam tournament since 2000 and has only lost in the first round four times. Speaking about his long career on the tour, fs.fi quoted Federer saying that he has been lucky to avoid injury.
“There must be also luck, and I’ve been lucky,” Federer said about avoiding injury.
“But later in my career, I was also smart, and I understand my body.”
As the former world No.1 gets older, he has acknowledged that he can no longer maintain a long intensive training session without risking injury. Instead the 34-year-old has switched the focus of his training routine to the quality of the work instead of the quantity.
“I train less, a little less, but much better in terms of quality, the experience has become more”. He said.
“I know exactly what my game requires. I’m used to long exercises in which to accustom the body to keep for long matches. I will no longer make hours of exercises, when I know my body requirements. “
At 34 Federer is the oldest player in the current top 20. In the top 100 he is the third oldest player after world No.52 Victor Estrella Burgos (35-year-old) and world No.24 Ivo Karlovic (36-years-old).
