Roger Federer has the potential to continue for at least 2-3 years, says Ken Rosewall

Roger Federer eased past Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych in the semifinals of Wimbledon yesterday to reach his eleventh final of the Grand Slam event in straight sets, becoming the oldest player to do so after Ken Rosewall featured in the finals in 1974 when he was 39.

Rosewall, aged 82, revealed he is a great admirer of Federer's abilities and believed the Swiss will continue to be a force to reckoned with two to three years down the line.

"I'm like millions of others. I admire Roger so much," Rosewall told Reuters in an interview.

"I think he's going to be a force in tennis for a few more years. I was playing some of my best tennis at 35. Roger's doing the same thing. I don't see any reason why he shouldn't continue for at least another two or three years," Rosewall said.

Federer made a terrific return to the court this year winning his 18th Grand Slam title in the form of the Australian Open in January and has followed it up with a fine run at Wimbledon, reaching the finals of the event without dropping a set. However, Rosewall still holds the record of being the oldest player to lift a Grand Slam title in the professional era, with his victory in the 1972 Australian Open at the age of 37.

Rosewall admitted that he will be glad to see the record broken by an athlete of Federer's stature.

"If anyone is to break it, I won't be sorry to see the record go to somebody like Roger. I was 33 when Open tennis came in ... I was still enjoying the tennis and I was playing well," added Rosewall.

"I still felt I was a strong force in winning events... and the chance to play for prize money, that was the main motivation." he concluded.