Tiger Woods looking to Roger Federer for inspiration after Swiss star’s Australian Open win
American hasn’t won a golf major since 2008, while 35-year-old tennis legend claimed his 18th grand slam title in Melbourne after six-month injury lay-off
Tiger Woods is looking to old friend Roger Federer for some inspiration.
The 41-year-old American hasn’t won a major since 2008, while the 35-year-old Federer claimed his 18th grand slam title on Sunday at the Australian Open, beating Rafael Nadal in the final in his first tournament following a six-month injury lay-off.
“What Rog has done is he’s been dominant for so long,” Woods said as he continues his comeback from 16 months off at this week’s Dubai Desert Classic. “To compete against [Novak Djokovic], to compete against Rafa, and now Andy [Murray] is playing well. He’s had a litany of guys who have won slams. And no one wins slams at his age.
“And for him to come back, after having to take that much time off, and for him to get the timing, that’s the hardest part.”
Woods has won 14 majors, the last coming at the 2008 US Open. Since then, he has dropped from No 1 in the world to No 666. He has twice won in Dubai but missed the cut in his first appearance of the year at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
After three back surgeries in the last few years, Woods is hoping to emulate Federer and get back to his best.