Federer keeps expectations in check for 2018

Switzerland's Roger Federer waves to the crowd as he leaves the court after losing to Belgium's David Goffin during their men's singles semi-final match on day seven of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London[Photo: Courtesy]

Roger Federer did not know what to expect when he touched down in Australia in 2017.The then 17-times grand slam champion was 35 and coming back from a first surgery-enforced absence to the sport he dominated for more than a decade from his maiden Wimbledon title in 2003.

The six months off, however, appeared to be positively cathartic as he provided arguably the major talking point of the tennis circuit by reviving a career that pundits thought could be over with the injury.