Federer, at 30, still feels competitive

It's not as if Roger Federer, five-time U.S. Open champion, doesn't command respect when he comes to play at the National Tennis Center.

But now that he's three weeks on the wrong side of 30 and has ceded the spotlight to younger Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, Federer is definitely not thought of as the odds-on favorite he was during his dominant run from 2004-09, when the only match he lost in six Opens was the 2009 final to Juan Martin del Potro.

Despite being the elder statesman among the seeded players, the third-seeded Federer, who is scheduled to face Colombia's Santiago Giraldo Monday night, doesn't feel much different coming into the tournament than he has in years past.

"I mean, it hasn't changed anything," Federer told reporters who assembled at the Tennis Center Saturday morning. "I'm still as professional. I'm still as hungry. Everything's still completely normal. You know, it's just a number that's changed, you know. So no, I'm ready to go."

Perhaps motivated more than ever by his failure to reach the final a year ago. Djokovic, the world No. 1 who has lost only twice this season, derailed Federer in five sets, 7-5 in the fifth, in last year's Open semifinal before Nadal took the crown. Following on the heels of the 2009 final loss, Federer's Open magic seemed to be slipping away.

His 2011 thus far hasn't helped dispel those thoughts that Federer has slowed, with only one title, in Qatar in January, and surprising losses in his only two hard-court preps in North America -- to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the round of 16 in Montreal three weeks ago, and to Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals in Cincinnati last week.

"I feel good, you know. I have had plenty of practice," he said. "I wanted to say plenty of rest. I have been resting a little bit, but I will rest tomorrow more. I went right back on the practice courts after my last match in Cincinnati. My preparation has been good and I'm excited for the tournament to start."

Back in 2005, Federer won his third U.S. Open by defeating 35-year-old Andre Agassi in a wind-swept final, Agassi's last big moment in Queens before retiring following the 2006 Open. Federer has never been the sort of fitness fanatic that Agassi became, but Federer feels he can have some Agassi-type success into his 30s.

"I feel my game allows me to, you know, still play for many more years because I have a relaxing playing style," he said. "I have almost played a thousand matches on tour and that leaves its toll, but I'm very professional when it comes to massages, stretching, diet, sleep, all of that stuff. So I have always looked in the long term, as well, for a long time. I have never been chasing stuff around since, you know. I turned world No. 1 seven years ago. That's why I'm confident I can still play for many more years to come at the highest of levels."

A strong showing at the Open would go a long way toward convincing the tennis world that Federer, even at 30, can still be a force.