TENNIS in DEPTH.

Roger Federer on Sunday warned his rivals he feels as good as ever as he bids for a sixth US Open title in seven years at Flushing Meadows.

Federer has won just two tournaments this year, losing his world number one ranking to Rafael Nadal and crashing out of Wimbledon in the quarter-finals to Tomas Berdych, the six-time champion’s earliest exit at the All England Club since 2002.

The Swiss star took a six-week break after Wimbledon, returning to the tour in Toronto where he lost to Britain’s Andy Murray in the final, but bounced back with victory in Cincinnati the following week.

And the 29-year-old clearly feels reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated as he begins his campaign for a 17th Grand Slam title against Argentina’s Brian Dabul on Monday.

“Mentally I’m very fresh,” said Federer, who was just two points away from a sixth straight title before losing to Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro in last year’s final.

“I didn’t play fir six weeks after Wimbledon, I had a good vacation, spent some time in Switzerland with friends and family. From the mental side I have no problems whatsoever.

“Physically I feel the same thing. I feel as good as I can feel prior to a Grand Slam. I have no niggling injuries, no pain anywhere.

“In Toronto I really had a lot of muscle pain, my arm, my wrist, my chest, my shoulder. Coming back right off the bat after six weeks and playing such tough matches early on was tough on the body.

“I got a little bit lucky in Cincinnati with a walkover against Kohlschreiber. That gave me that extra day of rest, next thing I knew I never looked back and didn’t have any physical problems any more. Here I am, I’ve had good preparation and am ready to go.”

Asked about the perception that his powers are on the wane, Federer added: “I was winning one or two Slams a year and I was on the downslide so you can’t really take it too serious really, to be quite honest.

“You can’t win 12 tournaments every season. That’s clear to me. I spoiled myself by playing so well and you just prepare for the times when it’s not winning 12 a season. If it’s two or four or six it’s still a good season depending on how you’re feeling, how you’re evolving as a player. I was always making sure I tried to get better.

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