Aussie Mitchell eyeing match up with Roger Federer

Roger Federer is preparing for another big year in tennis, first stop the Brisbane International. Novak Djokovic dominated a year ago with three grand slam titles, and while the wait for an 18th slam title is stretching out, Federer said he was not concerned.

Cibulkova missed four months of competition previous year to undergo Achilles tendon surgery. “Of course, players adapt so we will see how aggressively I can play this year”.

“I think I played very well, and I think it started here”, said Federer, before reminiscing about the four-figure milestone achieved in front of former local greats Roy Emerson and Rod Laver and the adoring Australian public on Pat Rafter Arena.

Varvara Lepchenko of the U.S. defeated Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, 6-2, 6-1, to set up a meeting with last year’s Wimbledon finalist Garbine Muguruza, who is seeded second. “I’m going to try to win every tournament and every Grand Slam that I play because that’s the mindset I have”.

Federer had to overcome a back injury in 2013 and is now confident his problems are behind him as he looks to add more titles to his collection.

Djokovic added money was not a “priority” after it was revealed he and Federer were in a race to become the first $100 million earners in tennis.
”Money is not really why I am playing this sport”, he said. “The tennis season is the longest season in sport, there is not much time in those weeks where you have the luxury of doing something else”, Djokovic, whose play is a reflection of a scathing exchange, said.

Roger Federer paid the ultimate compliment to Hewitt in Brisbane on Saturday, saying it was his early battles with the two-time grand slam victor which forced Federer to transform his approach to his game.

“It was one of six tournaments I played last year and it was an important one because it got the year going”.

“But also watching him was maybe even more fun, because I liked his work ethic and the spirit he bought to the match every single time”.