Roger Federer heads into the Indian Wells tournament riding a modest win streak and hoping to recapture the magic that saw him win three straight in the California desert from 2004-2006. The 16-time Grand Slam winner has already clinched a pair of titles in 2012, winning the last two tournaments he has entered in Rotterdam and last week in Dubai. “For me it has been good, my body has been taking a beating but it is holding up well,” said Federer Wednesday as he prepared for his opening match in the Indian Wells men’s draw which begins Thursday. “I don’t think I have over-played, but I have played enough. I have to be careful I do everything right not to get injured.”
Federer clinched his fifth Dubai Open title and 72nd career ATP Tour crown Saturday with an impressive 7-5, 6-4 win over Andy Murray. “I have been feeling really good out there and it is nice going on to the court on the big points and knowing exactly what you want to do and what you can do and what you can’t do.” Federer said. “If you don’t play enough you forget all those things. It can be a bit of a blur.” The world No. 3 turned 30 last August and says with age comes wisdom and the realization that you can’t go full speed off the court if you want to remain at the top of the rankings. “I used to do skiing, playing tennis, squash and soccer and you are like ‘I can’t believe I just did that and now my knee hurts and I can’t move anymore,'” adding he was a vegetarian when he was younger so has always watched what he eats.