Federer says may continue playing tennis well into his 40s

Swiss ace Roger Federer has said that he may play tennis for another decade after reaching the semi-finals of the Dubai Open on Thursday.

The 17-time Grand Slam title winner beat defending champion Novak Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the semi-finals, turning the match around not only with scintillating groundstroke hitting but with some bold approaches to the net.

According to Sport24, Federer was requested by a fan to keep playing on the ATP Tour for another ten years beyond the age of 40 like US legend Jimmy Connors, who was still performing at a high level on tour past the age of 40 in the early 1990s.

Half-jokingly, Federer replied that as his family, including his wife and two twin daughters love it when they are touring with him, he may play for another ten years, although he added that it may or may not be on the tour.

Federer further said that he plans to play as long as he can and dismissed critics' suggestions that he should quit when he no longer has a chance of winning another Grand Slam title, which may be quite soon

Connors did not officially retire until he was 44, thus playing on tour for 24 years, and reaching more Grand Slam quarter-finals (41) than any other male until Federer equalled it at this year's Australian Open, the report added.