Rested Federer tries for 7th Cincinnati title

A rested Roger Federer tries for an unprecedented seventh title in Cincinnati this week while polishing his game for the U.S. Open.

Asked during an exclusive interview with The Tennis Podcast if Federer still had one last Grand Slam title left in him, Sampras said: “I do think there is”. “I ended up winning here”.

The Swiss took a break that included touring charity projects for African children funded by his personal foundation, then decided to skip this week’s Montreal Masters to better prepare for the US Open starting in just over a fortnight.

Last year, he was the runner-up at the Rogers Cup, flew to Cincinnati and beat David Ferrer in three sets at the Western & Southern Open. But I think the most important thing is I’m not injured per se, just pretty worn out.

Federer said the best way to express his gratitude to everyone involved in the tournament is to thank them as you hold the tournament trophy in Centre Court.

“There’s a couple of dark horses, [Gael] Monfils seems like he plays well there if he can put it together”.

Djokovic was playing his ninth straight final, a run that included championship victories over Murray this year in the Australian Open and Key Biscayne, Florida.

Federer, who was a finalist at the 2014 Rogers Cup finalist, had started this season at the second place in the world rankings with 9,625 points.

“Aw, I guess it was bound to happen”, Isner said. Mentally and physically he’s been out there a while and it’s taking its toll.

“I think I’ve had to adapt to a new generation of players again.”

“When I was struggling, I still felt I was like the best player in the world”.

“It feels like there’s a laundry list of things that’s bothering me”.

“Having accounted for Fernando Verdasco in the first round, Kyrgios was heard telling Wawrinka: “[Thanasi] Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend”, with the Swiss third seed later withdrawing, citing a back injury.

The crowds in Cincinnati annually rally behind Federer, but John Isner, the top-ranked American in this year’s Western & Southern Open, says that’s not unique because “he’s just so great for the sport”. Thirteen years later, Sampras is amazed that 33-year-old Williams is still so dominant that she is now bidding for the final part of a Calendar Grand Slam.

Despite the tournament being in the middle of the hot, dog days of summer, Federer said it’s “easy going” and enjoys returning to Cincinnati, probably more so than other tournaments.