Roger Federer: Old guard not ready to make it easy

Roger Federer doesn’t expect any young star to take over at the top of men’s game any time soon. The Swiss feels that Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and himself are still offering plenty at the head of affairs.

Federer got his Wimbledon preparations off to the perfect start by claiming a record-extending 10th title at the Halle grass-court event in Germany on Sunday.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner saw off Belgium’s David Goffin 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 to win the 102nd title of his glittering career. With a ninth Wimbledon win on his radar next month, the veteran looked good and he was delighted with his landmark success, the first time Federer has reached double figures at one tournament.

“It’s unbelievable. I never thought when I first played here that I would win 10 titles,” the 37-year-old said. Federer was beaten by eventual winner Rafael Nadal at the semi-final stage of the French Open earlier this month.

Djokovic meanwhile holds the Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open titles. They have won 53 Grand Slam titles between them and, for now, Federer doesn’t feel that top trio are ready to make way for a younger generation to take over.

“As long as me, Rafa and Novak are around it is not going to be easy for a young guy to come up and dominate,” he said. “Maybe it would be good for the sport if they did, I don’t know. People seem to like it as it is.”

Federer is 4.00 to win Wimbledon, with Djokovic favourite at 2.38 and Nadal currently 6.00.