Roger Federer recalls - 'I'm not consider the hardest worker'

Kicking off the season ranked 30th, Roger Federer produced his A-game in February and scored notable wins that pushed him closer to the top-10. After two tight victories, the Swiss reached the quarter-final in Miami, losing it to Patrick Rafter but gathering momentum ahead of Roland Garros and Wimbledon and playing in the quarters at both Majors. Twelve months later, the Swiss returned to Miami as world no. 14 and one of the title favorites, beating Jeff Morrison in the second round and Albert Portas in the third to find himself in the last 16.

Roger Federer revealed how many hours he spends on the practice court in Miami 2002.

There, Roger had to stay on the court for only 35 minutes, with Tim Henman retiring after losing the opening set 6-2. Federer lost six points behind the initial shot and never faced a break point, securing two breaks and finishing the job earlier than expected following the Briton's neck injury that prevented him from playing the second set. After the match, Federer explained how many hours he spends on the practice court, saying he doesn't have to stay on the court as much as other rivals and knowing he is not considered the Tour's hardest worker. 

"When I'm at a tournament, I guess I work around three to four tennis hours, plus maybe an hour of conditions. Usually, it's three hours a day - one and a half in the morning and one and a half in the afternoon. I don't think I'm considered the hardest worker on the Tour. Some guys need much more practice than me, like Dominik Hrbaty, for example. He practices five, six hours a day. I think I'm a player who needs much less. So it depends a bit on the game you have. I try to work hard outside of the court to reach my goals. Today, Tim Henman had to retire because he injured his neck, struggling to look upwards. I want to play more offensive, come into net more, serve&volley. You can't say anything from this match, as we didn't have any rallies, but these courts are probably not fast enough to play serve&volley against good returner," said Roger Federer.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/31K18OH