I want to play another 2-3 years: Roger Federer

Roger Federer says he hopes to play for at least another two or three years and that his "mind-set is for the long-term" in assessing his tennis future.

Federer, who has not played since re-injuring his surgically repaired left knee at Wimbledon in July, will make his tournament return in the Jan. 1-7 Hopman Cup team event at Perth, representing Switzerland with Belinda Bencic.

The 35-year-old Federer said Friday he`s not sure of the form he`ll produce upon his return, but that retirement isn`t part of his thought process.

"Only when I get asked do I think of things like this," said Federer, who has 17 Grand Slam singles titles, the most of any male player.

"I don`t see it like this, that this could be my last Australian trip, even though it might very well be," he added. "I`m really positive. I took these six months off so I would be playing for hopefully another two to three years, not just another six months or so. So my mindset is for the long-term."

Federer hasn`t won a Grand Slam singles title since Wimbledon in 2012, and with his injury, has slipped to No. 16 in the world rankings.

"Winning titles is a beautiful feeling, rankings at the moments ... completely secondary," Federer said Friday. "As long as I`m healthy and injury free I think I can really do some damage."

Source: New Zealand Herald