MELBOURNE: Roger Federer’s fans call him the Greatest Of All Time but after defeat at the Australian Open his hold on the men’s record for career Grand Slam titles is growing ever weaker.

When Federer walked gingerly off Rod Laver Arena on Thursday after his injury-hit semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic, he will have been acutely aware that at 38 time is running out to add to his 20 Major wins.