Roger Federer admitted that he has “no idea” how long his remarkable career can continue after winning his 20th grand-slam title.
Federer, 36, was pushed all the way to a fifth and deciding set by Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion from Croatia. Asked afterwards if he knew for how much longer he could compete with younger opposition, Federer said: “I have no idea. I have won three slams in 12 months. I can’t believe it myself.
“I have just got to keep a good schedule, stay hungry, then maybe good things can happen. I don’t think age is an issue, per se. It’s just a number.
“But I need to be very careful in my planning, decide beforehand what my priorities are. That is what’s going to dictate how successful I can be.”
Federer’s sixth Australian Open title moves him four majors ahead of Rafael Nadal in the all-time men’s list and the Swiss could replace his great rival as world No 1 on March 5 for the first time since November 2012.
Advertisement
Federer admitted to feeling more nervous than usual because of the chance to reach a milestone number in grand-slam crowns. “It was a tricky one,” he said. “All day I was thinking, ‘How would I feel if I won it? How would I feel if I lost it? I’m so close, yet so far’. I was going through the whole match like this.
“I’ve had these moments in the past, but maybe never as extreme as tonight. Getting to 20 is very, very special.”