Courier on Federer's Career: "He Set the Bar Very High on How to Plan for Longevity"

In an interview with the YouTube channel "Questions for Cancer Research," former American champion Jim Courier reflected on the difference in career management between the Big Three and previous generations.

The former world number one specifically highlighted the example of the Swiss legend:

"I know Pete Sampras was mentally exhausted by the end of his career, as I was too. It was a struggle and quite hard work. Federer, in particular, set the bar very high on how to plan for longevity.

We didn’t do that. Lendl didn’t, and neither did McEnroe. Connors didn’t manage it either, even though we remember his peak at the 1991 US Open. But generally, we all pushed as hard as we could, and eventually, the body or mind reached a breaking point.

Federer found a trick and said, ‘Even if I’m required to play these tournaments, I won’t. They’ll have to deal with my absence because I want a long career.’

I think Nadal and then Djokovic learned to do the same: manage their careers to last in a way previous generations weren’t capable of.

If Sampras had planned like Federer did—taking breaks during the season, relaxing, and coming back ready—he would have had a longer and even more successful career."