Although Roger Federer is no longer able to win tournaments like he could when he was in his prime, Stefan Edberg trusts that the Swiss still has got it in him to win another grand slam title. Despite Federer’s success on grand slam tournaments in recent seasons has been patchy, Edberg reckons that Federer will still be able to add an 18th grand slam title to the Swiss’ long list of tennis accolades.

“Roger has played some of his best tennis in the past few years and will not give up,” Edberg was quoted saying, reported Tennis World USA. “He works hard and will ultimately reap the benefits, if he continues to play at this same level, he surely will win more chances to win grand slams.”

It has been three years since Federer won his 17th grand slam title. Since then, the 34-year-old tennis great has been unable to move on from that number. Federer came close to winning another grand slam title at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships, the first grand slam final that he has been able to reach since 2012, yet he fell to the hands of Novak Djokovic 6-7(9) 6-4 7-6(4) 5-7 6-4.

This season, Federer has put up a heroic effort against the Serb in the epic final at the All England Club, but Djokovic beat him to capture a ninth grand slam trophy 7-6(1) 6-7(10) 6-4 6-3. Federer and Djokovic clashed again in a grand slam final for the second time this season at the 2015 US Open. The Swiss came close to winning the title, coming into the match without dropping a set and entertaining the crowd with his aggressive play, yet the Serb proved too good for him. Djokovic beat him in four sets 6-4 5-76-4 6-4 to claim his second US Open title. Their series is now tied at 21-21.

At 34, some say that Federer should retire from the sport. However, the Swiss has shrugged off retirement rumours during an interview with ESPN after the 2015 US Open championship. He said that he will be back in New York next year. The crowd roared as Federer spoke those words. There is no doubting the fact that tennis fans want the enjoyment that Federer brings when he plays on the court.

Three years may seem like perpetuity for Federer since winning his last grand slam trophy, but Federer is not playing tennis just to collect runner-up trophies. Hiring Edberg on his coaching camp has certainly paid off as Federer has had great chances of winning grand slam titles. Whether Federer wins another grand slam title or not is a big question mark, but he has undeniably accomplished so much in his career. Federer is one of the best players to ever grace the sport.

With a few tournaments left in this season, Federer is likely to finish as No. 2 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. Federer may have been “disappointed” not succeeding in the US Open final and not being able to win another grand slam title, but he is looking forward to competing in Beijing, Shanghai, Paris and the year-end Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.

“Lost too many times in finals, but at the same time, I did win tournaments, the ones I was supposed to,” Federer told the reporters during the US Open finals post-match press conference. “The one I got I was happy the way I was playing, year’s not over yet, I usually do have a strong finishes to the season, and I hope I can do that again.”

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