Former world's no.1 Roger Federer thinks while he was oozing with potential in the early years of his tennis career he wasn't as prodigious as fellow tennis players Rafael Nadal, Martina Hingis and pro golfer Tiger Woods.
Tennis Magazine had an opportunity to interview Federer, who is currently training hard after suffering a knee injury a month ago.
According to the 34-year Swiss, he was already aware of enormous talent in him since the early phase of his pro career, though he wasn't able to convert it into positive results right away. Unlike Hingis and Nadal, who both easily breezed through the competition at an early age, Federer waited at least half a decade to win his first Grand Slam in 2003.
As for Woods, the pro-golfer was hyped as a golfing prodigy since he was toddler and he didn't wait too long to garner his sport's top prize, winning his first Grand Slam at age of 21.
"I was very talented but I was not Tiger Woods, or Martina Hingis or Rafa , who at 10 years you know that would become number one ....," Federer told Tennis Magazine via Tennis World Italia.
Federer also admitted that he was quite amazed of Hingis winning her first Grand Slam as a teenager.
"When Hingis won Wimbledon was 16 and I 15 ... I said to myself , ' win Wimbledon next year for me would be completely impossible! I saw her win and I had no idea how he managed this. "
Federer, who is still competing at a high level in the twilight years of his career, appreciates all the support he got from his fans through the years, stressing that it is one of the reasons why he keeps on playing.
" I really appreciate all the support , I've always said ... that is supported so much is not normal for me ... I'm really - I'm not sure if this is the right word - very proud , it makes me really excite , have all this support around the world ... I can not see myself as I saw idols like Jordan , are above everything else . I feel I 'm not like them ..."