Roger Federer may realistically think he can still win another Grand Slam title when he the Swiss Maestro returns to the Tour, according Pat Rafter.
Federer's much-anticipated return to the tennis scene is only weeks away. After more than five months of lay-off due to a knee injury, Federer is aiming to comeback stronger, although many doubt the 17-time Grand Slam winner can still add another major to his all-time record.
However, Rafter, a former world No. 1 himself, believes Federer knows at the back of his mind that he still has a chance for another Grand Slam win.
"If he's not winning a Grand Slam, is he struggling? Because what is his goal? To be no. 5 in the world? I doubt it. I think he realistically thinks he can win another slam," Rafter said, reports Tennis World. "Whenever you are that great, you never write off a champion."
Federer was far from his best form this year after suffering a knee injury following his Australian Open semifinal lost to Novak Djokovic. The injury forced the 35-year-old to get sidelined for a couple of months before returning to tennis back problems, which also prevented him to win tournaments.
Federer got close to winning an 18th major at Wimbledon, but was halted by Milos Raonic in the semifinal round, where the Basel native re-injured his surgically-repaired knee. It prompted Federer to skip the remainder of the season, causing him to slip down to the 16th spot in the ATP world rankings, but the Swiss remains positive he can get back in the top three.
"I have thought about that these few weeks-what'll it be like when I return...will I feel pressure," Federer said, reports Tennis. "I will have dropped a few rankings.
"But if I can train the way I am hoping [during the offseason], I'm thinking that I can quite rapidly rejoin."
