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Cape Town - Three-time Wimbledon winner John McEnroe believes that it's Roger Federer's love of playing tennis that is the secret to his longevity.
The 34-year-old Federer is just two wins away from claiming a record eighth Wimbledon title, an incredible achievement for a man who won his first title at the All England Club in 2003.
None of Federer's competitors have managed to play at the highest level for as long as the Swiss has, and McEnroe feels that Federer's love of the game is what keeps him going.
"I've never seen someone love playing as much as Roger. That's the thing what I admire more than anything about him," McEnroe told the BBC.
"The one thing I wish I could have taken from him is his joie de vivre."
He added: "He's so competitive but is able to shrug off his losses so well."
Federer comes up against a tricky opponent in Milos Raonic in Friday's semi-final, and the third seed will need to be at his best to down the big-serving Canadian.
Having come off a marathon, emotional quarter-final win over Marin Cilic, Federer may feel slightly drained on Friday, but the Swiss is confident that is normal preparation will be enough to see him through the match.
"I don't do any of that new stuff (to recover)," Federer said.
"I sleep well, I eat healthy, take a stretch, a massage, that's it. Very normal, old school."
