Roger Federer reflects on the moments that made him one of the greatest players of all time

There are “moments” that have left an indelible mark on Roger Federer, from the realisation he needed to work harder to the players who left him awe-struck, that have made him arguably the greatest tennis player of all time.

The “moments” have left an indelible mark on Roger Federer.

There are the fun times and the sustained glories that pepper a staggering career as it enters a valedictory phase.

And there are also the bleaker events, tattooed by death and remorseless self-flagellation for poor behaviour.

At 37, Federer knows he is far closer to the exit door than his millions of admirers dare to believe.

SAFETY: Australian Open unveils new heat policy

‘SICK OF TENNIS’: How Kyrgios spent his off-season

NOT SATISFIED: Thompson aiming for a summer of gain

He is yet to make plans for 2020, Tokyo Olympics or not, and insists his four young children and wife Mirka’s welfare overrides any lingering tennis ambition.

But as Federer enters his 22nd season on tour, his recall of milestone events is accompanied by, and articulated with, chilling clarity.

“For me, it took me a few special moments in my life to wake up and say, ‘OK, I’ll work harder now’,” Federer said this week at the Hopman Cup in Perth.

“And to be honest, every players’ road is different.

“For some it comes easy, for some it comes harder, it takes longer, a different team, a different place.”

Roger Federer takes photos while flying over The Pinnacles in Western Australia. Picture: Getty Images

The death of his former coach Peter Carter in 2002 remains, and always will, a hugely defining turning point for Federer.

“One hundred per cent, he was one of those (factors), but it doesn’t always have to be like that,” the grand slam record-holder said.

“Also in Hamburg (in 2001), when I smashed my racquet (after losing to Franco Squillari) and I said: ‘I want to change.’

“There are several moments in a player’s career that can mark you and can have a profound impact on the rest of your career.”

Roger Federer preparing for Hopman Cup, where Switzerland is the defending champions. Picture: AFP

Winner of more grand slam titles — 20 — than any other man in the history of tennis, Federer has a theory about vocational shaping.

In essence, fates — and habits — are sealed early.

“The first two years are key because you’re gonna see a lot of different tournaments,” he said.

“You’re learning how to set up practice, how to behave on a match court, on a practice court.

“You’re learning how you handle the media, how you handle the pressure, live TV.

“You find out what it means to create a certain aura for the other players, how to be friendly to the other players, who you doubles partners are, who are your friends.

“For me, it was a fun process, I loved every moment of it, because essentially it’s what you dream of, rubbing shoulders with the great guys.”

On one of those occasions, despite status as a player destined for stardom, Federer was awe-struck as he soaked up the presence of his locker room neighbours.

“Getting ready for a match and sitting next to Andre Agassi or Pete Sampras and here is his locker and he’s got 20 shirts in there and I look over and I have five and I’m in the same locker room and sharing similar moments,” Federer laughed.

“It’s just that he’s on a different level and I loved that.”

Just as Sampras and Agassi authored part of Federer’s evolution, so did Lleyton Hewitt.

Federer’s mind drifts back to his Davis Cup semi-final loss to Hewitt at Melbourne Park in 2003 when, for almost three sets, the Swiss dominated the Australian.

Roger Federer at The Pinnacles to promote the Hopman Cup. Picture: Getty Images

At the time, Hewitt owned Federer. After that epic win on Rod Laver Arena, Hewitt rarely beat Federer again.

“In the rivalry with him that match definitely helped because I was able to lead by two sets to love and a break,” Federer said.

“For me to play that kind of tennis in a big-time match against Lleyton, who has beaten me so many times before, showed me that I was on the right track.

“That was an important step, a marker, like beating Pete Sampras at Wimbledon, like beating (Marat) Safin in the final at Hamburg, getting to top 10, winning your first major against (Mark) Philippoussis at Wimbledon.

“As you play these matches, you progress.

“Lleyton, for me, along with David Nalbandian and those other baseliners was just a hard nut to crack because they were just so good.

“They would expose my backhand, my weaker side, and I had to come to terms on how I was going to play them from the baseline.

“I guess, number one, it needed a tough mind to accept misses on the backhand.

“It needed strong legs to move around the backhand or just accept the fact I just needed to defend a lot on the backhand or that I needed to improve my attacking play.

“I just needed time but definitely Lleyton had a big impact on my career with all the big matches we played.”

Federer holds a Western Rock Lobster. Picture: Getty Images

The largest influence on Federer these days — two sets of young twins and Mirka aside — is his body.

Enduringly graceful and smooth, Federer dreads the prospect of continually feeling battered and bruised post-match.

So far, he has had only one bout of knee surgery and the annoying hand/wrist injury during this year’s grass court season.

Federer attributes his good fortune to a long-term association with conditioner Pierre Paganini.

“I got lucky. I never had any surgeries until two years ago,” Federer said.

“Then I also did a lot of good decisions and one of my best decisions was to team up with Pierre Paganini, my fitness coach who I’ve been with for basically 20 years now.

Roger Federer is chasing a hat-trick of Australian Open titles. Picture: Michael Klein

“I was lucky also that he overviewed my fitness regimen when I was from 14 to 16 when I joined the national tennis centre.

“He came up for the plan that was for the moment, but also longevity, and I did really well there.

“I think I understand my body very well. I recognise when it’s just pain or it’s pain that’s dangerous.

“I know how to play through pain and maybe also my game, the way it’s built, the free-flowing game that I have, allows me to stay away from some injuries because I’m not too tense on the court.”

Conceding he is at the “back end” of his playing days and revealing the Tokyo Olympics will have no bearing on his plans, Federer says his family has the ultimate call on his future.

“People like to talk about what I do and how I do it,” he said.

“But without the support team and without the family, without the coaching team, this wouldn’t be possible.

“There’s just too much going on in terms of organisation, preparation, planning and everything.

Federer poses for selfies with fans after a practice session in Perth. Picture: Getty Images

“We try our very best and I can also prioritise very well so I help in this process but for the most part I also need people who motivate me along the way to make it all work.

“Mirka is great. We’re really enjoying ourselves on the road.

“Last year on the road was really busy, especially at the end.

“Our girls (nine-year-olds Myla and Charlene) told us it was the funniest year that’d ever had but next year we’re gonna slow it down for them a little bit.

“It’s always gonna be family first and then tennis after.

“But, of course, I can still mix it up very well and as long as the kiddies (four-year-olds Lenny and Leo) are happy and Mirka is OK with the travelling and the results are there, I’m happy to continue.”