Federer Hits Back At His Critics

 

Roger Federer has lost twice to players ranked outside the top hundred in recent weeks, and he made a second round exit last week at the Swiss Open in Gstaad. Despite the fact that he's been struggling with a back injury and adapting to a new racket, the world No. 5 has faced criticism and even calls for him to retire from some fans and sections of the press.

"I have no problem with criticism, but I expect us to be honest," he said. "This situation is not new for me. In 2009 and 2010 already, people said: 'He's won everything, now it's finished.'"

"The more people that made that comment, the more likely that someone will be talking nonsense."

Federer made it clear that he hasn't made any plans to finish his career. After all, he's already started making arrangements to compete in tournaments in 2014 such as the Brisbane International, which he'll be playing at for the first time in his career. 

"If I got to the point where I'd had enough of the travel and training then I would ask serious questions," added Federer. "But that's not the case now."

"There comes a time when the ranking is not so important. Quite honestly, I don't even know exactly what my current ranking. 4th? 5th? 3rd? It doesn't matter to me so much."

Federer's immediate concern right now is to ensure that he recovers fully from his back injury. He was hampered by the problem in Hamburg and Gstaad and is yet to decide whether or not he'll be competing at the Rogers Cup in Montreal.

"I've had serious problems with the back, I had to get some anti-inflammatories last week in Hamburg due to the pain," explained Federer.

"I will have to do a lot of exercises and see how it all feels." "My main priority now is to fix my back. I would love to be able to train at 100 percent. I'll have to see if the rehab is enough to let me play in Montreal. If it is, I'll go; if not, then it gives me another week."