Melbourne  - Roger Federer knows he's in tennis for the long haul, now expecting to figure in the sport well beyond the 2012 London Olympics.

With his immediate objective a fourth Australian Open title as the first Grand Slam of the season began on Monday, the 27-year-old has - as always - cast his eye well into the future.

"I want to do well not only this year but many more years to come," said the 13-time Grand Slam champion. "I don't feel like this year is my last chance to either win the French Open or pick up a few Slams more easily.

"They never come around easily. Let's not forget who I had to beat in all my Slam finals to get them, who I had to beat on the way. I'm expecting more of this in the future: they they will be tough to win. But I know I've got the game to do it, so we'll see what happens.

The 27-year-old said that hoped to play up to four years beyond the 2012 London Olympics.

"I would like to play for a very long time," Federer said. "I feel healthy. I have got a game that doesn't consume too much energy, so that's a big benefit for me looking ahead. (dpa)