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Pete Sampras believes Roger Federer can still win an eighteenth Grand Slam title despite turning 34 last week.

Federer will bid once again at the upcoming US Open in New York to end his long Grand Slam drought, the Swiss last winning a major title at Wimbledon in 2012.

Asked during an exclusive interview with The Tennis Podcast if Federer still had one last Grand Slam title left in him, Sampras said: “I do think there is. I think he’s playing well, he’s fit, he hits the ball great, he’s doing everything that he’s been doing for years.

“It is tougher as you get older and now Novak [Djokovic] and [Andy] Murray, they’re in their prime now.

“I think for Roger to win, things need to fall into place. I think if he has to play Murray, Djokovic, then Rafa in one week or back-to-back, it gets more difficult.

“Wimbledon I think is his best chance, but the US Open he’s won there five times, he knows what he’s doing. I think he’s got a good shot, but I think obviously Novak is the man to beat.”

Although 14-time Grand Slam champion Sampras feels Djokovic is the favourite for the final Grand Slam of the year, he believes Murray will provide a formidable challenge for the Serb on the hard courts of New York after securing his return to world No. 2 in Montreal.

Sampras said: “I think Andy is just right behind him. Murray’s on a hard court at the US Open, he’s won it there and he’s got to the final there, so he’ll be a contender.

“There’s a couple of dark horses, [Gael] Monfils seems like he plays well there if he can put it together. But I like Djokovic, Murray and Roger, I think those three are going to be in the last weekend and we’ll see what happens.”

One notable omission in that trio is Rafael Nadal, who has struggled for consistency this year and has dropped to No. 9 in the world rankings. Sampras has noticed how negative the 29-year-old Spaniard has become, but feels he can still recover and return to the top.

Sampras said: “I think he is still working hard. He is doing all the right things, he is just not playing as well. It just seems like anxiety is creeping in, he seems a little bit nervous, he’s hitting a lot of short balls, a little yippy at times and hopefully he just gets out of it somehow, just through winning some matches.

“Guys don’t fear him as much and it’s tough to play defence out there. Mentally and physically he’s been out there a while and it’s taking its toll.

“I think he’ll be fine but it’s not like Roger who can not play well and still win. I think Rafa if he’s not playing well he mentally gets negative and feels like he’s not as good and convinces himself that he’s not as good as he used to be.

“When I was struggling, I still felt I was like the best player in the world. When Rafa struggles, I think he feels like his career is over, just with some of the things he says. He’ll be fine, he’ll get back to where he once was.”

When Sampras – who turned 44 on Wednesday - won his last Grand Slam title at the 2002 US Open, Serena Williams won her fourth major in the women’s singles. Thirteen years later, Sampras is amazed that 33-year-old Williams is still so dominant that she is now bidding for the final part of a Calendar Grand Slam.

Sampras said: “It’s amazing and what a great achievement. The French Open I think was her biggest hurdle, she got that and she is full of confidence. But it will be different for her just because of the attention and the media attention.

“But when you are the best player in the world, you are the best player in the world, no matter what is going on. I wish her nothing but the best, and it would be great for tennis, great for American tennis, and I hope she does it.”

''I hope it's going to come gradually and that I will know when the right time is,'' he said about retirement. ''But I don't want to think about it too much. (AP)
BASEL, Switzerland (AP) Like many dads, Roger Federer is talking with his family about how to spend Christmas.

But unlike most, the father-of-four has the 2017 holidays on his mind - on the eve of the tennis season when he will turn 36.

It is an age few reach while still on tour. Yet the player who beat Rafael Nadal in three sets to take the Swiss Indoors title on Sunday seemed far from retirement.

''I have a very clear plan how `16 is going to be until December,'' Federer told The Associated Press in an interview after winning his hometown event for a seventh time. ''That is the discussion I'm having with my wife right now. Are we going to be home for Christmas or not? Then '17 is around the corner for me as well already.

''I'm thinking way ahead,'' said the Swiss great, whose victory in Basel lifted him to No. 2 in the rankings published Monday.

Why wouldn't he? At 34, the numbers for his season speak of a player in top form and fitness.

A 58-9 record going into this week's Paris Masters, including six titles and two Grand Slam finals. Only Novak Djokovic in his career-best year has beaten Federer in any tournament final, including denying him a record-extending 18th major title at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

After Paris, Federer goes to London to play at the ATP finals for a 14th straight year.

Expert managing of his schedule, including a family vacation in September, has kept him sharp when others - including his younger self, he says - are worn down in November.

''That is the goal with having the time off with the kids, with my wife,'' said Federer, whose family - wife Mirka, their 6-year-old twin girls Myla Rose and Charlene Riva, and 18-month-old twin boys Leo and Lenny - often join him on tour.

One product of his keen tennis mind is the now-trademark move to sneak up and return serve while approaching the net.

''The sneak attack is a fun thing for me to do,'' he said. ''How many times can you hit a slice and be excited about it?

''Sometimes you have got to just do something a bit different. Just be young in your mind and say, `Just go for it. Who cares?'''

Fun-seeking is also why Federer says he will play into December in the International Premier Tennis League at places like India, Singapore and Dubai, where he has a home.

For now, Federer enjoys his tennis too much to think too deeply about stopping.

''As long as I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet, I've got to keep a schedule as well which I feel like I'm playing for many more years to come,'' he said.

Federer previously said he will not announce a long-term plan to end his career, so avoiding a farewell tour.

''I hope it's going to come gradually and that I will know when the right time is,'' he said. ''But I don't want to think about it too much.

''If you get injured then it comes more slowly but the mind could all of a sudden go, pfft, that's it. Who knows? If there's a thing with family that is just so much more important than playing tennis.''

He is sure that, as with his Christmas 2016 plans, parents and family will be part of the retirement conversation.

''I would let them know about it rather than saying I've taken the decision already,'' Federer said. ''I would probably ask them, `Do you think this is a good idea?'

''Everybody will agree with me at that point anyway. But we're not there yet.''