Federer is preparing for Toronto (©GettyImages). It has been over two years since Roger Federer won a Grand Slam, but the Swiss star is remaining defiant by insisting that he is no longer under as much pressure to succeed.
The 32-year-old is well ahead on top of the all-time list of most majors won, however, the 17-time winner has been searching for no.18 since Wimbledon 2012.
Drought
Though he did get close at this year's SW19 final in a dramatic five set loss to Novak Djokovic, the Centre Court classic means that Federer is still searching for a shinier trophy in his cabinet, and will he will hope to add to his collection of five US Open titles when it kicks off later this month.
Federer won in New York for consecutive years between 2004 to 2008 but since then - Juan Martin del Potro, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have all tasted glory.
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Relaxed
Rather than get frustrated at the lack of triumph in his thirties, the former world no.1 is relaxed over his apparent slump.
"I feel more laid back today than I ever have because I don't have to defend like 12 tournaments a year," he told rpeorters.
"I only won one last year, so I feel I don't really have to prove anything to anybody - although people are always going to disagree with that.
"For me, it's about how do I feel at practice, how's my motivation, how am I actually playing - how do I feel rather than everyone else thinking they know. I can analyse it much clearer today than I ever have, and from that standpoint, I'm not in a hectic place.
"When I was younger, I felt much more pressure. I felt like I had to be what people said. I would listen to everything, Today I kind of go at my pace. I really enjoy the process, and see the positive side of things."
Recovery
Federer is actually experiencing a better season than last despite failures at the majors, he has won two Masters events in Dubai and Halle while also reaching finals at Brisbane, Indian Wells and Monte Carlo.
A third title of 2014 in Toronto's Rogers Cup wouldn't go amiss. However, despite his hard court prowess, the world no.3 has only won twice in Canada - the last coming over eight years ago.
In the absence of the injured Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic will be favourite in these warm-ups, and that could give him the edge going into the US Open. The 27-year-old is searching for what would be just his second major on the hard courts.
Advice
Federer's Wimbledon menace has returned to world no.1 but has been on a break since conquering London after marrying his long-term and pregnant partner. Djokovic may well need some advice from his rival who recently celebrated the birth of his second set of twins.
If the Serbian star does seek some wisdom, it'll only be positive from Federer who is enjoying this phase of his life: "It's been a great few months waiting. When the boys arrived, seeing the reaction of the girls and seeing how the new dynamics would be as a family," he continued.
"It's been incredibly nice. We've had a beautiful last few weeks after Wimbledon when we could really spend quality time away from all the tennis tournaments. It's been great. I love it."
Federer will hope the break will have down him some good coming into preparations for Flushing Meadows. Things have got progressively worse for the 17-time major champion in the US. A shocking fourth round loss to Tommy Robredo last year means that he has been out of the final since 2009.
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