30 January,2009 01:10 PM IST | | AFP
Roger Federer says he can never be called tennis's all-time best despite underlining a glorious return to form by moving within one match of equalling the Grand Slam record.
Federer said he can't be compared to players such as multiple Major-winners Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall, who missed several years when professionals were still barred from Grand Slams.
The 27-year-old Swiss has reached his fourth Australian Open final and is bidding for his 14th Grand Slam win, which would match the record held by Pete Sampras.
"Probably we'll never quite know who was the greatest of all time in tennis, and I think that's quite intriguing as well," Federer said.
"Of course, if somebody goes off and wins 35 Grand Slams then you made your point as a player.
"But still, I think it's fantastic that they named the centre court after Rod Laver who did so much for tennis. I mean, 14 is more the new generation, the Open era.
"I could maybe become the greatest of that era, but never of all time. I'm very well aware of that. I think it's an incredible opportunity to do well."
Federer paid warm tribute to Laver and Rosewall, who compiled 23 Grand Slams in careers interrupted by the professional-amateur row. The dispute was finally resolved in 1968, the start of the Open era.
"I'm very well aware of the problems the old generation of Laver and Rosewall and all those players faced. That's why I always said I'm one of the players who's most thankful to them of what they've done for us," he said.
"Look where prize money is today and the great sites we have. Now there's even more money being pumped into the Australian Open. That's all thanks to them for not playing for a lot of money and missing out on 20 Grand Slams."
Federer has left the Rod Laver Arena crowd in no doubt about his place in history in a majestic parade to the final which has matched his best performances here.
After recovering from two sets down against Tomas Berdych, the Swiss destroyed Juan Martin del Potro in the quarter-finals and stopped Andy Roddick's revival in its tracks in a jaw-dropping semi late yesterday.
The successful comeback follows an off-key performance last year when Federer went out in the semis during a bout of mononucleosis, and went on to lose his Wimbledon title and No 1 ranking to Rafael Nadal.
"I'm still surprised how quickly the mood swings with the media, with the fans, with everybody," he said.
"If I lose a set or two sets against Berdych, everybody is like, 'Oh my God, he's not the same anymore.' And then you beat del Potro and everything is back to normal.
"It's just not the way it's supposed to be, I don't think. You don't lose your edge that quickly. It's just not possible.
"I know I'm playing well, I feel good. I know sometimes you can always run into a player that's hot and you can lose.
"Came up with two great victories now against del Potro and Roddick, and usually that's when I start playing my best - towards the end of the tournament. I think this is where you should judge a great player."
With confidence flowing and media back on side, Federer set his sights on Sunday's final - against either Nadal or Fernando Verdasco - and was already looking ahead to the other Slams and winning back the top ranking.
"I wanted to start the year well at the Australian Open, winning maybe potentially my first French, getting Wimbledon back after the epic I had with Rafa there, and then win my sixth at the US Open," he said.
"That's kind of what's in my mind. And then with good play at the ATP events, at the Masters Series, which I didn't play great last year in, I hope to pick up few of those to get my No 1 ranking back."
