PERTH – Roger Federer and family touched down in Western
Australia on Thursday, with the Swiss national ready for action when
the Hopman Cup mixed team event starts on Saturday.
The 36-year-old ATP number two, who has been training in Dubai, will
combine with Belinda Bencic in a reprise of last year's Swiss lineup
at the eight-nation team event which begins the 2018 season.
Federer and the 20-year-old Bencic just missed the final a year ago.
The 19-time grand slam winner burst back to form in 2017, winning an
ATP-leading seven titles including the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
But Federer knows that he will have to keep up the momentum as he
defends his 2017 honours.
"Expectations are higher now but I try to remind myself 'just don't
think it's normal and realistic to aim for the same things I did this
year in 2017,'" he said.
"I've got to try and keep it cool. Try my best and see what happens
but the preparation's been good so far. We'll see how things go."
Federer, his wife and two sets of twins - along with travelling
nannies for the kids - are expected to repeat their 2017 habit of
taking in the sights of the area.
Switzerland begin group play on Sunday, facing Japan with Yuichi
Sugita and Naomi Osaka.
Federer arrived after his usual holiday training block at his Gulf
base. "I had a great off season. I mean, I did have a good off season
too last year but I just wasn't sure what to expect," he said.