Roger Federer still has at least two years left in him before eventually retiring from tennis, according to Mats Wilander.
Earlier this month, Federer turned 38 and is clearly in the final stages of his career.
But despite his age, Federer has been able to stay at the top of the sport as shown by winning his 100th career title in March and reaching the Wimbledon final.
World No 1 Novak Djokovic got the better of Federer at Wimbledon and following the draw for the US Open, the pair could meet again in New York if they progress to the semi-finals.
The subject of when Federer will decide to retire has followed the Swiss star for years but he has always stayed clear of confirming his plans.
Speaking in an interview with Eurosport, Wilander hailed Federer’s defying ‘Father Time’ but predicted the 20-time Grand Slam champion will enter retirement by the end of 2021.
“He seems to have this unbelievable ability to lose a couple of matches on the regular tour but it doesn’t seem to affect him that much in terms of how he works, his practice and how he plays five set matches,” Wilander said.
“Obviously we are dreaming to think that he is going to be a threat in Grand Slams for another five years, that’s not going to happen but I would say most probably his career will come to an end maybe at the end of 2021 or 2022.
“This is when we have to most probably think ‘okay, that has to be it’ but hey, he’s already defying everything we thought was possible in tennis.”
Federer begins his US Open campaign next week with a first-round clash against a qualifier.
And it will be just his third match since losing to Djokovic last month after he crashed out of the Cincinnati Masters in the third round.
But 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick feels being back in New York and inspire Federer.
“You can be as disappointed as you want but when you step out into Arthur Ashe Stadium at night with the lights on, New York has its eyes on you, hopefully, that stirs up some emotion, some motivation,” said Roddick.
“Kind of maybe reset. Not really think backwards but kind of look forward to the next two weeks.
“He’s as professional as they have ever come so who am I to tell him what he should be doing? He has 20 slams for a reason.”
