Federer Has no Plan to Retire

Roger Federer’s victory at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London didn’t just put him on a par with Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras as the only three men to have won the year-ending men’s event five times. It has also boosted his appetite to go on winning prestigious titles for many years to come.
 
Federer turns 30 next year and insists the London Olympic Games at Wimbledon in 2012 is no longer his cut off date. Indeed he does not rule out the possibilities of carrying on until the Rio de Janeiro Olympiad four years later.
 
The Swiss admitted: “I will be 35 in 2016. I haven't thought that far yet and I don't even know what surface they'll play it on, whether it's going to be clay or hard court. I hope in some ways, 2012 is not my last just because I like to play for so long. For an Olympics, I definitely could get up for that, no problem.
 
“I've always had something special happening at all the Olympics. It's changed how other athletes look at me today at the Olympics. I can barely do the opening ceremonies as the other athletes eat me up as I wait inside. I'm happy to go through with it because for me it's a dream to be a part of the Olympic spirit and everything it stands for. I like being there.”
 
Federer believes the addition of Paul Annacone to his coaching set-up is already reaping dividends. The Swiss had become a little disenchanted with his results leading up to his alliance with the American former coach of Pete Sampras and Tim Henman following Wimbledon.
 
“After having somewhat of a disappointing clay season, then Halle, Wimbledon stretch, where I wasn't able to win any tournaments and didn't play my best tennis,” said Federer. “I played a bit passive. It was important that I was able to pick up my game.
"I started moving better, started feeling well physically and mentally. I'm sure Paul has helped in this regard.”
 
Elation was dominating Federer’s mind as he looked to the future, both short and long term. When asked how many more years he intended to compete he answered: “As long as I can. As long as I'm healthy, eager and motivated; which I clearly am.
 
 I've played ten full seasons in my career.  In nine of them I made the World Tour finals.  So I've always had obviously long and exhausting seasons.  But I seem to, enjoy it and take pleasure out of traveling the world, playing against the best, challenging myself in practice and so forth.
 
“So it's been an amazing career for myself. At the moment I have no plans at all of stopping, quitting or whatever you want to call it.  Hope I can play for many more years to come.  It's a goal.  I think it's possible