Ageless Federer rides his time machine back to the top

LONDON: They know a thing or two about time in Switzerland — their cuckoo clocks, expensive wristwatches and unerring railway timetables are proof of that.

Yet it is the Alpine nation’s favourite son, Roger Federer, who has apparently mastered the art of reversing it.

The Peter Pan of men’s tennis took his time machine to Rotterdam this week and on Friday posted a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Dutchman Robin Haase to reach the semi-finals of the ABN AMRO tournament.

In doing so, he is guaranteed a return to number one in the ATP world rankings for the first time since November 2012.

The 36-year-old father of two sets of twins becomes the oldest man ever to top the standings, replacing American Andre Agassi who was 33 when he last held the top spot in 2003.

Not only that but the gap of five years and 106 days between separate stints at the summit is the longest in ATP history.

He also sets a new record for the longest time between debuting as world number one (in 2004) and his latest stint — a record previously held by Rafael Nadal, the man Federer has knocked off the top of the pile.

Since Federer lost the top spot in 2012, when many predicted his best days were done, Novak Djokovic, Nadal and Andy Murray have all had lengthy periods on the throne but whereas the clock ticks ever louder for that battle-ravaged trio, Federer appears to have found a new dimension.

He is producing one of the best late-career runs by any sportsman. He claimed a record-extending 20th grand slam title by winning the Australian Open for a second successive year last month, becoming the oldest player to triumph in Melbourne since Ken Rosewall in 1972.

Yet Federer, for all the unique magic that other players can only dream about, offers a far more pragmatic explanation for his ability to make a mockery of the ageing process.

“My philosophy is I play when I’m ready. What I did last year and what Rafael (Nadal) is doing also is maybe a bit of a lighter schedule,” he said this week in the Dutch port city.

“It shows to others by working or practising a bit more, you become a different or better player.”