Federer Looks Back At 10 Years Of Experience

© Getty ImagesRoger Federer has beaten Nikolay Davydenko, Lleyton Hewitt (18-8) and Andy Roddick (21-3) more times than any other player.

Roger Federer believes he is a better player today than he was 10 years ago.

“I would hope I'm a better player today,” said Federer on Thursday. “I know what to expect from myself. I'm much stronger today physically, so I can always rely on that as well. Whereas in the past people knew or thought, ‘if you go past two hours on clay against Federer, he'll not get better from that point on, he'll get weaker.’

“That's something I wanted to work on and have it where people thought the other way, I was going to get stronger after two hours. That's the mindset you have to have in training, that's when I went to work and that's why I'm the player I am today. I'm happy I was able to and find a way and be successful for a long period of time.”

Federer was speaking after he improved to 18-2 lifetime against Nikolay Davydenko on Thursday at the Australian Open. The pair met for the first time at Milan in 2002. Federer has defeated only one player on more occasions than Davydenko: Andy Roddick (21-3). He also has beaten Lleyton Hewitt 18 times from 26 encounters.

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The Swiss will play Bernard Tomic, the recent Apia International Sydney titlist, in the third round on Saturday. Federer doesn’t believe the Australian will be overawed.

“To me, he seems to be more of a guy that likes to be on Centre Court, playing against the top guys, feeling like he belongs there. I think it's going to make it easier for him to play me.”

Federer went onto admit he used to watch videos of his opponents when he was younger, but now insists, “I'm a big believer in playing with your own strength instead of always focusing on just your opponent, what does he do good, what does he do bad. 

“In a heartbeat you know exactly what your opponent can do. It's just a matter of compressing it all together when it's really important and then be confident in your own playing. At the end of the day, you have a lot to say as well out there.”