US OPEN '17: Federer says 3rd major of year would be surreal

NEW YORK (AP) - Even Roger Federer finds it all a little surprising.

After going 4ˆ½ years without collecting a major championship, now firmly in his mid-30s, he heads into Monday's start of the U.S. Open with a chance to win his third such trophy of 2017.

"I mean, I have a hard time thinking I could win three Slams in one year. It just sounds totally surreal to me," Federer said in an interview with The Associated Press. "But I'll prepare myself the best way possible, so that I will have the best chance to really excel there in New York."

Yes, Federer is most certainly back. All the way back. He's back in the field at Flushing Meadows after sitting out the hard-court tournament a year ago while taking off the last half of the season to let his surgically repaired left knee heal. And he's back in the role of Grand Slam title favorite after winning the past two majors he entered, the Australian Open in January and Wimbledon in July.

Is he playing as well as - or perhaps better than - ever?

"I don't know. It's hard to tell. It doesn't really matter to me. I would hope that I'm a better player today, just (by) virtue of time that's gone by and I've had time to practice and train and all that stuff," he said with a sigh. "But better? In a way I would hope so."

Federer turned 36 on Aug. 8, making him older than all but two men to have ever won the most important tennis tournament held in the United States, an event first held in 1881.

He will be facing a depleted draw in New York as he seeks his first title there in nearly a decade .

Three-time major champion Andy Murray , recently replaced at No. 1 by Rafael Nadal, withdrew Saturday because of a sore hip. Reigning U.S. Open champion Stan Wawrinka, who had knee surgery, and 2016 runner-up Novak Djokovic , whose right elbow is injured, are out for the rest of the season. So is 2014 runner-up Kei Nishikori, because of a hurt wrist. Last year's Wimbledon runner-up, Milos Raonic, withdrew from the U.S. Open because of an injured left wrist.

Wawrinka, Djokovic and Nishikori are following Federer's example - and Murray said he will consider doing the same. Skipping the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the U.S. Open and other tournaments allowed Federer to return to the ATP Tour refreshed and reinvigorated, not to mention fully fit.

The payoff? He is 35-3 with five titles this season.

"The long break last year really helped him. He (went) a little bit away and looked at everything from the outside again. It gives you a little bit of distance," said Severin Luthi, one of Federer's coaches. "In general, I know with him that if he takes a break and if he's fresh, happy to play, motivated ... that's one of his biggest strengths."

The day before claiming his eighth Wimbledon championship and 19th at a major overall - both records for a man - Federer sat down with Luthi to discuss preparation for the U.S. Open.

Yes, time marches on, even for Federer, although it doesn't really seem as if that's the case at the moment.

"He's been playing amazing tennis," said 20-year-old Alexander Zverev, considered the sport's "Next Big Thing."

"He pretty much won every single big tournament he played this year," added Zverev, who defeated Federer in the hard-court final at Montreal this month.

That was the last time Federer was in action; he tweaked his back and withdrew from a tuneup in Ohio the following week.

If his back is problematic at Flushing Meadows, it could stand in Federer's way. So could Nadal, whom Federer could meet in the semifinals. Otherwise, Federer could be the last man standing there for the first time since winning his last of five consecutive U.S. Open titles in 2008.

That would please Federer, of course. But what he really derives satisfaction from lately is his aggressive style on court.

"I like the way I'm playing. I'm playing going forward. I'm going for it. I'm not holding back. I'm playing the kind of tennis I like to play, personally, myself. And I'm not, like, doing everything only for success. I'm actually letting it fly off my racket. And that makes me happy," he said.

"People who've been waiting for me to come back strong, maybe one more time, I've given them even more now by winning a couple of Slams this year. So it's extremely special times. I'm aware of that. I know it's just only bonus, whatever is about to come," Federer continued, with a hint of a smile. "So I hope I can keep this level up and then maybe good things can continue. We'll see."

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Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich

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