The second-round exit at the Wimbledon Open might have served as an eye-opener for former world's no. 1 Roger Federer to change tactics and start playing more games this season.
In a press conference following his three-set victory against Daniel Brands, Federer discussed his decision to change equipment and play more tournaments this season.
"I've been very close on numerous occasions to change racquets in a bigger way. But then very often, time was the issue. Maybe also just the records of Grand Slams - I was always keeping on playing quarters and semis - so then it was also a bit more difficult to change it because of the time," said Federer, who dropped to his lowest position in the ATP rankings in over a decade at no. 5.
Federer, who suffered a second round shocker against unheralded netter Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine at the Wimbledon Open, said he had been thinking of changing his racket even before his loss at All-England Club, but his hectic schedule hadn't allowed it.
However, the Swiss Maestro believes the humbling defeat might the catalyst he needed to get serious by using a different racket and making changes in his schedule as the season progresses.
"This time around, all of a sudden I just had the extra 10 days, two weeks I was looking for, and I really was very serious about it. Wilson flew to Switzerland and we went through the whole process and I was very happy how things went over there," Federer added.
When asked if he's comfortable with his new racket, Federer said he's very happy with the result as he has been able to do well with it under match conditions.
"I'm pleased how it's playing. I kind of knew it from practice, so it wasn't like just jumping into the water, but I'm very happy that under match conditions I was feeling comfortable with it. I'm satisfied," Federer said during the press conference.
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