‘He’s come into this tournament looking very sharp’: John McEnroe suggests Roger Federer is playing better now than when he dominated tennis over a decade ago
- Roger Federer cruised into the Australian Open third round on Wednesday
- The Swiss star beat Filip Krajinovic 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 and looked in great shape
- Ex-Wimbledon champ John McEnroe says this may be the best ever Federer
John McEnroe has suggested Roger Federer might be playing better now than when he was in his prime over a decade ago, despite edging towards the end of his thirties.
The Swiss legend was in imperious form as he swept aside Serbian Filip Krajinović in straight sets, romping to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 win to book his place in the third round.
And three-time Wimbledon winner McEnroe is so impressed from what he has seen from Federer that he believes he could be playing better than in the early 2000s when he had a iron grip on the sport.
Roger Federer continued to defy his age as he breezed past Filip Krajinović in straight sets
The Swiss star hit a number of superb shots, including one incredible running forehand pass
While McEnroe admits Federer is not the player he once was physically, he considered that he was looking particularly sharp after arriving in Australia looking to win his 21st major.
‘I was just thinking about that. Is he better? Does he move better? He can’t possibly move better but he could possibly be better,’ McEnroe said after the Swiss beat Krajinovic.
‘He won three out of four, probably three different times (in 2004, 2006 and 2007).
‘I don’t know if it is a concerted effort or just a match-up or the situation, but definitely he’s come into this tournament looking very sharp early, which is a good sign.’
Three-time Wimbledon champion believes Federer is possibly playing the best tennis of his life
McEnroe said Federer winning the Australian Open in 2017, despite having just come back from knee surgery, taught him a valuable lesson to never write him off, as he continues to defy critics by producing well into his late thirties.
‘The ultimate for me, because I was coaching Milos Raonic at the time when he beat him in the semis at Wimbledon (in 2016),’ McEnroe said.
‘He sort of limped off the court, didn’t play for six months and I said, “Surely Roger is not going to win any more majors”.
His victory over the Serbian sets up a third round clash with American John Millman on Friday
‘He didn’t play for six months, no events, and then he wins three five-setters. And wins the thing.
‘Like, “What?” I mean, I know Roger – you’re even amazed. I don’t even know what to say when you watch this. He makes it look so easy. It isn’t that easy, folks.
Federer has set himself up a third round tie with American player John Millman on Friday, looking to win his 100th match at the tournament.