MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Comienza otra temporada para Roger Federer, y el astro suizo puede conseguir otra marca en el tenis.

Esta vez no tiene que ganar un solo partido, sino que es suficiente con que participe en cada uno de los cuatro Grand Slams del año. Si lo hace, Federer tendrá 56 torneos de Grand Slam consecutivos, con lo que empataría el récord del sudafricano Wayne Ferreira.

El primer paso será a partir del lunes cuando comience el Abierto de Australia, su 53er Grand Slam consecutivo, lo que representa un testamento de la longevidad del que muchos consideran como el mejor tenista en la historia.

"Sigo aquí", dijo un sonriente Federer, luciendo relajado y confiado, en una rueda de prensa el sábado. "La longevidad siempre ha sido importante para mí".

El ganador de 17 títulos de Grand Slam ha ganado majors desde 2003, y recordó que en alguna ocasión fue un recogepelotas para Ferreira, quien colgó la raqueta en 2005.

"Estoy emocionado por haber jugado tantos al hilo, y espero poder seguir con la racha, y ver hasta dónde llega. Ya veremos".

Por ahora, Federer quiere seguir escribiendo nuevos capítulos en los libros de récords.

A los 31 años, busca su 18vo título de Grand Slam. Si se corona en Melbourne, se convertiría en apenas el segundo hombre después de Andre Agassi que gana cuatro trofeos del Abierto de Australia desde que comenzó la era de los Abiertos en 1968.

También le permitiría a Federer, el campeón vigente de Wimbledon, unirse a un selecto club de cinco hombres que han ganado dos o más títulos de Grand Slam después de cumplir 30 años. Los otros son Agassi y Jimmy Connors en los 80, Ken Rosewell una década antes, y Rod Laver en 1969.

Hasta su coronación en Wimbledon, muchos daban por acabado a Federer, al que consideraban superado por Rafael Nadal y Novak Djokovic. Pero con ese título regresó a la cima del ranking de la ATP por primera vez desde junio de 2010, para empatar y luego superar el récord de Pete Sampras de 286 semanas como número uno.

Consciente de su puesto en la historia y del kilometraje en su cuerpo, Federer ha reducido su actividad. Llega a Melbourne más descansado que de costumbre, luego de no jugar torneos de fogueo.

"Ha sido muy relajante", comentó el suizo, segundo del ranking mundial y quien debuta ante el francés Benoit Paire. "No jugué torneos de fogueo para estar fresco para el inicio, y ojalá llegue lejos en este torneo. Obviamente esa es la meta".

Los principales obstáculos de Federer siguen siendo Djokovic, el favorito y campeón defensor, y el tercero del ranking Andy Murray, quien lo venció en la final de los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres y luego ganó su primer Grand Slam en el Abierto de Estados Unidos.

Nadal se ausentará del primer major del año por sus problemas en las rodillas.

Murray está en el mismo lado del cuadro que Federer y podrían toparse en las semifinales, y cualquier de los dos sólo podría chocar con Djokovic en la final.

"Son partidos increíblemente difíciles, muy físicos", comentó Murray, quien venció a Djokovic en la final del Abierto de Estados Unidos, luego de perder ante el serbio en las semifinales del Abierto de Australia de 2012. "Jugamos unos cuantos bastante buenos en algunos de los torneos más importantes del año pasado".

"Si tengo que jugar contra Novak aquí, significaría que estoy en la final. Así que obviamente eso es lo que me gustaría hacer", señaló el británico.

Djokovic apunta a su tercer título consecutivo en Australia, un logro sin precedentes en la era de los Abiertos. Pero la primera raqueta del mundo no quiere hablar sobre eso.

"Este es el Grand Slam en el que más éxito he tenido", señaló. "Pero este Grand Slam también es famoso por sus sorpresas".

Djokovic debuta contra el francés Paul-Henri Mathieu, y Murray contra el holandés Robin Haase.

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  • Switzerland's Roger Federer speaks during a press conference ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)

  • TENNIS-OPEN-AUS

    Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France (C) and Roger Federer of Switzerland (R) take part in a Kids Day exhibition match ahead of the upcoming Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 12, 2013. The first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year is set to run from January 14 to 27. AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSYAYANA IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-OPEN-AUS

    Roger Federer of Switzerland (R) chats with one of his support crew during a practice session for the upcoming Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 12, 2013. The first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year is set to run from January 14 to 27. AFP PHOTO / Paul CROCK IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-OPEN-AUS

    Roger Federer of Switzerland (R) warms up with cartoon character Sponge Bob during a Kids Day exhibition match in the lead-up to the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 12, 2013. The first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year is set to run from January 14 to 27. AFP PHOTO / Paul CROCK IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-OPEN-AUS

    Roger Federer of Switzerland takes part in a practice session for the upcoming Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 12, 2013. The first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year is set to run from January 14 to 27. AFP PHOTO / Paul CROCK IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-OPEN-AUS

    Mirka Federer (R), the wife of Roger Federer of Switzerland, sits with their twins to watch her husband play in a Kids Day exhibition match in the lead-up to the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 12, 2013. The first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year is set to run from January 14 to 27. AFP PHOTO / Paul CROCK IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • 2013 Australian Open Previews

    MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 12: Roger Federer of Switzerland speaks to the media ahead of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 12, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

  • 2013 Australian Open Previews

    MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 12: Roger Federer of Switzerland speaks to the media ahead of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 12, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-OPEN-AUS

    Roger Federer of Switzerland takes part in a practice session for the upcoming Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 12, 2013. The first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year is set to run from January 14 to 27. AFP PHOTO / Paul CROCK IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • 2013 Australian Open Previews

    MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 12: Roger Federer of Switzerland speaks to the media ahead of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 12, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

  • 2013 Australian Open Previews

    MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 12: Roger Federer of Switzerland speaks to the media ahead of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 12, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-OPEN-AUS

    Roger Federer of Switzerland takes part in a practice session for the upcoming Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 12, 2013. The first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year is set to run from January 14 to 27. AFP PHOTO / Paul CROCK IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-OPEN-AUS

    Roger Federer of Switzerland waves to the crowd as he takes a break during a practice session for the upcoming Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 12, 2013. The first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year is set to run from January 14 to 27. AFP PHOTO / Paul CROCK IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • 2013 Australian Open Previews

    MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 12: (L-R) Victoria Azarenka, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Ana Ivanovic pose with Nickelodeon characters during the Rod Laver Arena spectacular at Kids Tennis Day ahead of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 12, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer jokes with a cartoon character Sponge Bob Square Pants during an exhibition match during the Kids Tennis Day at Melbourne Park ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

  • Mirka, wife of Switzerland's Roger Federer arrives on Rod Laver Arena with her daughters Myla and Charlene to watch an exhibition match during the Kids Tennis Day at Melbourne Park ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer acts as a ball boy during an exhibition match at the Kids Tennis Day on Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

  • Mirka, right, wife of Switzerland's Roger Federer watches with her daughters Myla and Charlene and a unidentified woman a exhibition match during the Kids Tennis Day at Melbourne Park ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer jokes with a cartoon character Sponge Bob Square Pants during an exhibition match during the Kids Tennis Day at Melbourne Park ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus look as France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga acts a s a ball ball during an exhibition match during the Kids Tennis Day at Melbourne Park ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer throws the ball along the court as he acts as a ball boy during an exhibition match during the Kids Tennis Day at Melbourne Park ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

  • Players from left, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Switzerland's Roger Federer, Serbia's Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams of the US and Serbia's Ana Ivanoic pose for a group photo following an exhibition match on Rod Laver Arena during the Kids Tennis Day at Melbourne Park ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

  • France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, left, Switzerland's Roger Federer and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus play an exhibition match during the Kids Tennis Day at Melbourne Park ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

  • TENNIS-OPEN-AUS

    Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a return during a practice session for the upcoming Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 11, 2013. The first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year is set to run from January 14 to 27. AFP PHOTO / Paul CROCK IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-OPEN-AUS

    Roger Federer of Switzerland serves during a practice session for the upcoming Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 11, 2013. The first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year is set to run from January 14 to 27. AFP PHOTO / Paul CROCK IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-OPEN-AUS

    Roger Federer of Switzerland (C) takes a break during a practice session for the upcoming Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 11, 2013. The first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year is set to run from January 14 to 27. AFP PHOTO / Paul CROCK IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-OPEN-AUS

    Roger Federer of Switzerland serves during a practice session for the upcoming Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 11, 2013. The first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year is set to run from January 14 to 27. AFP PHOTO / Paul CROCK IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • 2013 Australian Open Previews

    MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 11: Roger Federer of Switzerland serves during a practice session ahead of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 11, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-OPEN-AUS

    Roger Federer of Switzerland takes part in a practice session for the upcoming Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 11, 2013. The first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year is set to run from January 14 to 27. AFP PHOTO / Paul CROCK IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer makes a backhand return during a practice session at Melbourne Park as he prepares for next week's Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer serves during a practice session at Melbourne Park as he prepares for next week's Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer, right, talks with to a training partner during a practice session at Melbourne Park as he prepares for next week's Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer serves during a practice session at Melbourne Park as he prepares for next week's Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer picks up a racket during a practice session at Melbourne Park as he prepares for next week's Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer serves during a practice session at Melbourne Park as he prepares for next week's Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer throws the ball in the air during a practice session at Melbourne Park as he prepares for next week's Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer serves during a practice session at Melbourne Park as he prepares for next week's Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

  • 2013 Australian Open Previews

    MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a forehand during practice ahead of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 8, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

  • 2013 Australian Open Previews

    MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland wears his Nike headband during practice ahead of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 8, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

  • 2013 Australian Open Previews

    MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland has a drink during practice ahead of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 8, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

  • 2013 Australian Open Previews

    MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a backhand during practice ahead of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 8, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

  • 2013 Australian Open Previews

    MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a backhand during practice ahead of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 8, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

  • Roger Federer

    Switzerland's tennis player Roger Federer heads the ball as he plays an exhibition soccer-tennis game with Colombia's goalkeeper Farid Mondragon in Bogota, Colombia, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

  • Roger Federer, Farid Mondragon

    Switzerland's tennis player Roger Federer, left, returns the ball to Colombia's goalkeeper Farid Mondragon as they play an exhibition soccer-tennis match in Bogota, Colombia, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

  • Roger Federer, Farid Mondragon

    Switzerland's tennis player Roger Federer, left, returns the ball to Colombia's goalkeeper Farid Mondragon as they play an exhibition soccer-tennis match in Bogota, Colombia, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

  • Roger Federer

    Switzerland's tennis player Roger Federer returns the ball to a young player as he gives a tennis clinic in Bogota, Colombia, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

  • TENNIS-COLOMBIA-FEDERER-CLINIC

    Swiss tennis player Roger Federer gives the thumb up during a clinic in Bogota, Colombia, on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Eitan Abramovich (Photo credit should read EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-COLOMBIA-FEDERER-CLINIC

    Swiss tennis player Roger Federer plays with a girl during a clinic in Bogota, Colombia, on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Eitan Abramovich (Photo credit should read EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-COLOMBIA-FEDERER-TSONGA-CLINIC

    Swiss tennis player Roger Federer (L) and French tennis player French Jo-Wilfried Tsonga pose during a clinic in Bogota, Colombia, on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Eitan Abramovich (Photo credit should read EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-COLOMBIA-FEDERER-TSONGA-CLINIC

    Swiss tennis player Roger Federer (L) and French tennis player French Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (R) sign autographes during a clinic in Bogota, Colombia, on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Eitan Abramovich (Photo credit should read EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images)

  • TENNIS-COLOMBIA-FEDERER-CLINIC

    Swiss tennis player Roger Federer hugs a boy during a clinic in Bogota, Colombia, on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Eitan Abramovich (Photo credit should read EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images)