LONDON: Roger Federer has warned his rivals he is feeling fitter and more confident than this time last year when he shocked everyone to win his 18th Grand Slam title.
The Swiss sensation issued the warning after easily beating Richard Gasquet 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 in just under two hours to reach the last 16 in Melbourne.
Federer won 12 months ago on his return after six months out from injury, with many assuming the 36-year-old was no longer a Grand Slam threat. But having seen off the Frenchman he claimed he was in much better shape than a year ago and ready to win Grand Slam No. 20.
“I had a good season last year,” Federer said.
“The off-season was fantastic too and my last match was not that long ago.
“I’m coming in this year very fit, very well equipped knowing that five sets are not an issue, where as last year that was always the question mark.
“And with that question mark in mind there was always a tension there and I was carrying a groin injury for the last four or five matches because it was so intense.”
The Swiss has only lost twice to the stylish Frenchman in their 19 meetings, winning all their four Grand Slam encounters.
Significantly, Gasquet has not won a set against Federer since 2011, a run of 22 sets to the Swiss.
"I was able to stay more on the offensive than he was and maybe I was protecting my own serve better than him," Federer said.
"I was hoping I could play at that level. I'm very happy that I was able to rise to a level that I needed to beat Richard.
"It was tough. The score shows it, as well. I could have done it maybe a bit faster.
"At the same time I'm happy to have done it the way it happened. I was pleased. I think I had some good shots. I was happy the way I played. I also thought we both played a good level again, so it was fun."
Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic played down injury concerns after he sought a medical timeout for a lower back injury during his 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 win over Spanish 21st seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
The former world No. 1 sought a medical timeout early in the second set for treatment to his lower back.
Djokovic later played down the extent of the problem, saying: “It’s okay. Nothing major. I knew I wanted to use the medical timeout because I needed it,” he said.
“But at the same time I knew it was nothing major that can potentially raise a question mark on whether I can continue playing or not. It was fine.”
Roger Federer claims he is ready for Grand Slam No. 20
Roger Federer claims he is ready for Grand Slam No. 20
From Jeddah to the world stage: Bader Idrees and Saudi Arabia’s tennis rise
RIYADH: As tennis continues to gain momentum throughout Saudi Arabia, several local players are beginning to emerge on the national and international scene. One of them is Saudi national team player Bader Idrees, whose journey mirrors the Kingdom’s evolving relationship with the sport.
Idrees’ first exposure to tennis came at a time when the local game was still developing. His interest began in early 2010 after watching his older sister train regularly.
“I was five years old when I used to watch my older sister playing tennis every day,” he told Arab News. “One of her coaches recommended that I try it out, and from the first hit, I fell in love with the sport.”
Now 20 years old, Idrees finds himself progressing alongside a country that is investing heavily in tennis. Over the past three months alone, Saudi Arabia has hosted the Six Kings Slam, the WTA Finals, and the Next Gen ATP Finals, an indication of its growing ambitions on the global tennis stage.
A defining moment in Idrees’ development came at the 2025 WTA Finals, where he reached a personal milestone in his role as a hitting partner for some of the world’s best players.
“It was one of the best experiences I’ve had so far,” he said. “To actually see the players and train with them was an eye-opening experience for me.”
The exposure offered by hosting elite tournaments has had a direct impact on aspiring Saudi athletes, providing valuable insight into the professional game.
“Seeing how players prepare for matches — from how they behave off the court to actually practicing on the court — was an amazing experience,” he said.
Beyond individual growth, Idrees believes the broader sporting ecosystem benefits from welcoming international events to the Kingdom.
“Hosting these events motivates every Saudi athlete,” Idrees said. “Foreign players get to know the country and the players who represent it, and it pushes us to perform better knowing that the world is watching.”
That motivation has translated into concrete goals. Idrees is planning a busy start to the year, with four international tournaments scheduled for January.
“I feel very positive about what I’ve accomplished so far, so hopefully I can kick off with a strong start in 2026.”
Despite recent progress, Idrees credits his early development at home as the foundation of his success.
“I don’t think I would be at this level if I weren’t in Saudi Arabia, and if I didn’t meet my coach Wajih there, who played a big role in my journey,” Idrees said.
To further advance his career, he later relocated to Cairo, where increased competition and exposure helped accelerate his development.
“That experience, combined with my coach’s motivation, made me believe I could truly go pro,” he said.
The journey was not without challenges. Idrees reflected on the limitations that once existed in the local tennis landscape.
“Tennis has grown massively in Saudi Arabia over the last few years,” he said. “But before that, we didn’t always have the best facilities or infrastructure. That’s why seeing the progress now makes me happy.”
Today, that transformation is happening at a rapid pace — something Idrees notices each time he returns home from international competition.
“Month by month,” as he puts it.
Whether in Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam, the changes are increasingly visible. Looking ahead, Idrees is optimistic about the next generation of Saudi players.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see the kids playing at the under-10 and under-12 level find themselves in the top 500 or 300 within the next 10 years,” he said. “I see the discipline and motivation in them, and it truly is something special.”
He is also realistic about his own development compared with today’s young talents.
“I wasn’t at this level at 10, 12 years old,” he admitted. “Training with kids at that age now, I’m genuinely impressed. It’s why I’m feeling very positive about their future.”
With growing infrastructure, elite-level exposure, and rising ambition, Idrees’ story represents more than personal achievement. It highlights how Saudi Arabia’s expanding role as a host of global sporting events is reshaping its tennis landscape — and how a new generation of players may be poised to make an impact on the world stage in the years ahead.
