Roger Federer: Why Fed-Ex is Destroying His Once Impeccable Legacy

Roger Federer last won a Grand Slam tournament at the Australian Open in 2010, and judging by his play over the last year it seems he is far from the dominant player everyone feared so much.

As Federer opens his 2012 Grand Slam season in Melbourne next week, his once impeccable legacy is slowly deteriorating.

The Swiss star has made just two Grand Slam finals over the past two seasons, his last of which came at Roland Garros last year when he lost to Rafael Nadal in the French Open.

As age and the competition has caught up with him, it's time for Federer to contemplate where he ranks in the sport, and if retiring from tennis is a realistic option for him this season.

A back injury could prevent him from performing strongly in Melbourne this month, and it's a problem that has nagged him going back to the 2010 Wimbledon.

Novak Djokovic, the world's No. 1-ranked player, has overcome the struggles of defeating Federer and looks to be very confident in any match against the Swiss star.

Djokovic is younger, faster, more athletic and playing the best tennis of his life. He won three Grand Slam tournaments last season, and comes into 2012 with a ton of confidence.

Federer's inability to beat Djokovic in the semifinals of the US Open last August may have been a changing of the guard in tennis.

Djokovic was very close to losing that match, but dug deep and had the mental toughness to pull out a dramatic five-set victory.

It was the kind of loss that takes time to recover from, and it will be interesting to see how Federer does in Melbourne following his disappointment in New York.

If Federer does not win a major this season, it may be time to end one of the sport's most brilliant careers.

There is no shame in retiring at his age, and fans will always remember Federer as one of tennis' greatest champions.

His 16 Grand Slam singles titles are the most ever, but after watching his struggles over the last two years, title No. 17 seems less of a possibility with each passing Grand Slam tournament.