AFP, Shanghai :
Roger Federer warned Novak Djokovic and his other Shanghai Masters rivals on Tuesday that he was in prime condition even as another long season approaches its climax.
The 37-year-old Swiss has been carefully managing his schedule in recent years, cutting out the clay-court segment of the season since 2017 to wring the most out of his ageing body.
It appears to be working and the 20-time Grand Slam winner opens his defence of the Shanghai Masters this week in ominously good shape.
The world number two played in a victorious Laver Cup campaign in Chicago two weeks ago, following his surprise last-16 defeat to the Australian John Millman at the US Open.
“The good thing is after feeling good in practice I played a good Laver Cup, have had also some rest after the US Open,” said Federer.
The Swiss great’s prime threats in Shanghai are likely to come from world number three Djokovic – who is in fine form – and fourth-ranked Juan Martin del Potro.
World number one Rafael Nadal, beaten by Federer in last year’s final of the Masters 1000 showpiece, is absent with injury.
