Federer – I’ve still got appetite for success

Roger Federer insists he is still hungry enough for grand slam glory and will do whatever it takes to break Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s grip on the top prizes.

For years, Federer reigned supreme at Wimbledon, winning the grass-court grand slam six times, while also enjoying huge success at most of the other major events.

The Swiss star amassed a record 16 grand slam crowns and occupied the world number one ranking for a total of 285 weeks.

But those halcyon days must seem like a distant memory to the 30-year-old, who heads into Wimbledon, which starts tomorrow, without a grand slam title to his name since the 2010 Australian Open.

Such is Nadal and Djokovic’s stranglehold on the sport that they have made the last four grand slam finals a private battle for supremacy.

Having won so much in his illustrious career and with other priorities now – Federer is a father to young twin daughters – it has been suggested that his appetite for success has started to fade.

But Federer is adamant he is still willing to put in the hard work required to keep up with, and ultimately defeat, Djokovic and Nadal.

“My confidence is very good. I’ve won many tournaments, so many matches the last year or so that I feel perfect in this regard,” Federer said.

“I’m match fit and I’m match tough right now. That’s also key going into a grand slam. The hunger is obviously big. I don’t think I need to elaborate too much on that.

“I’ve explained many times how hungry and motivated I am to be playing, playing at this high level, wanting to win the big tournaments.”

Federer’s last grand slam final appearance came at the 2011 French Open.

He arrives at Wimbledon on the back of a lacklustre semi-final exit against world no. 1 Djokovic at Roland Garros and then a surprise loss to German veteran Tommy Haas in the Halle final just over a week ago.