“If I do get injured, you know, maybe if I miss next year, who knows what happens… You never know when your next Grand Slam is going to be, if ever.
“You never know if you’re going to have an opportunity at this stage.”
Federer added: “Look, I’ve had a tough year last year. Three five-setters are not going to help. I just meant it the way I meant it.
“There wasn’t something planned behind it, that this is my last Australian Open. I hope can I come back, of course. That’s my hope right now.”
Federer, now four titles clear of Nadal and Pete Sampras on the all-time major-winners’ list, was troubled by injury during the tournament and he said he had been carrying an upper leg problem since the second round.
