KEY POINTS

  • At 38, Federer is eyeing to win 21st Grand Slam title
  • His last major win came at Australian Open 2018
  • The Swiss legend will be in action Friday in 3rd round

Former World No.1 John McEnroe has insisted that Roger Federer is currently better than ever and believes that he can win the Australian Open at the age of 38.

Federer, who dropped just six games, thrashed Filip Krajinovic 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 to progress into the third round in Melbourne for the 21st straight year. The veteran is set to face Aussie John Millman in the third round and if Federer wins that, it would be his 100th win at the Open.

McEnroe, who was in Nine’s commentary box in a recent Australian Open match, was asked if he thought Federer was better now than when he dominated the sport more than a decade ago.

The American tennis star replied, "I was just thinking about that. Is he better? Does he move better? He can't possibly move better but he could possibly be better. He won three out of four, probably three different times (in 2004, 2006 and 2007). I don't know if it is a concerted effort or just a match-up or the situation, but definitely, he's come into this tournament looking very sharp early, which is a good sign."

World number three Roger Federer is in action on day one
World number three Roger Federer is in action on day one AFP / Manan VATSYAYANA

McEnroe further said that after watching Federer defeat Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final in 2017, he learned that the Swiss legend must never be written off. The Australian Open, which Federer won three years ago, was his first tournament after returning from a career-saving knee rehab.

"The ultimate for me, because I was coaching Milos Raonic at the time when he beat him in the semis at Wimbledon (in 2016). He sort of limped off the court, didn't play for six months and I said, 'Surely Roger is not going to win any more majors'."

"He didn't play for six months, no events, and then he wins three five-setters. And wins the thing. Like, 'What?' I mean, I know Roger - you're even amazed. I don't even know what to'say when you watch this. He makes it look so easy. It isn't that easy, folks,” McEnroe added.

Federer is set to face off unseeded Millman in the third round at the Rod Laver Arena Friday.

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