Roger Federer is impressed by Andy Murray's recent success in the tennis scene, but the Swiss Maestro still favors Novak Djokovic to win the remaining Grand Slam event in New York.
Federer is still convinced Djokovic would be the favorite to win the US Open despite Murray's soaring form through this summer. Federer, who is approaching the final major event of the year as an observer due to a knee injury, favors fierce rival Djokovic to defend his US Open title despite tough losses in recent tournaments.
"It hasn't really changed my opinion that Novak is the favourite, despite a few tough losses," Federer said, reports the Daily Mail. "He did win (the Canadian Open) in Toronto. He has a great record against Andy and is a great hard court player, you see that in the conditions like here and at the Australian Open."
"But I have been very impressed by Andy, what he has done this summer has been incredible. I hope he can keep that going. I think it will be a very exciting US Open and probably a great race between them until the end of the season."
Federer was forced to be sidelined for the rest of the season after re-injuring his surgically-repaired left knee against Milos Raonic at Wimbledon. The 17-time Grand Slam winner, who targets a comeback at the Australian Open next year, admitted disappointments of skipping the 2016 Rio Olympics and US Open, but Federer kept in mind that being healthy is his top priority at this stage of his career.
"I never thought I'd have a year like this. I've learned a lot from this year," Federer said, reports the BBC. "It's painful being here in New York, and it was painful during the Olympics because I love competing. But you can't have it all."
"It was a tough decision to say the least - going out of Rio, the US Open, the [season-ending] World Tour Finals. But in some ways it ended up being a simple decision. Health is my number one thing."
Meanwhile, Federer will also take part at the inaugural Laver Cup in 2017, where the Swiss teams-up with career rival Rafael Nadal for Europe, facing the Rest of the World in a tennis version of golf's Ryder Cup.
Former tennis greats Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will serve as captains of the respective teams for three years, with Federer and Nadal playing doubles together.