Federer sticks to Australian Open formula

Roger Federer will represent Switzerland at the Hopman Cup tennis tournament in Perth for the fifth time.

Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland celebrate.

Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic will return to Perth to defend their Hopman Cup title. (AAP)

Roger Federer is sticking with his recent successful formula as he eyes a record-breaking seventh Australian Open title in January, committing to return to the Hopman Cup in Perth.

The 20-time grand slam singles champion will pair up with countrywoman Belinda Bencic to defend the Hopman Cup title they won for Switzerland in early January.

It will be 36-year-old Federer's fifth time at the mixed teams tournament and his third straight appearance, having gone on to claim the Australian Open title in both 2017 and 2018 after playing there in the build up.

The world No.2 is currently tied with Roy Emerson and Novak Djokovic on six Australian Open titles and has left no doubt about his ambition to go one better.

"I'm very excited to be coming to the Hopman Cup again in 2019 and trying to defend my title with Belinda Bencic," Federer said in a statement.

"Perth Arena is a wonderful place to start the new year and it's obviously the perfect preparation for the Australian Open.

"It worked so well the last couple of years, I can't wait to come back."

The 2018 runners-up, Germany's Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber have also confirmed Hopman Cup return.

Federer's presence was credited as a major factor in the record 106,424 attendance at this year's event at Perth Arena.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world