Roger Federer is spending the US Open in a far off land, deep in the Switzerland mountains. The 34-year-old father of four is enjoying an extra helping of family time, taking in his nation's stunning scenery and staying busy rehabbing.

“I have more time to rehab, I know I’ll have time later to train really hard," the world No. 4 tells the ATP. "It was important to give the knee a bit of a break and at the same time to strengthen what I could, the core and the leg."

In Part I of the ATP special series of interviews with the 17-time Grand Slam champion, he talks about what his days are like in the mountains, and what he thinks of his rivals Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray’s US Open title chances.

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"Clearly I feel like something is missing…" Federer says. "But at the same time I’m OK . I'm doing fine. I’m healthy. I'm enjoying great time with my family."

He's even keeping close tabs on what's going on at the US Open without him. Murray has looked impenetrable, bashing aside Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round on Monday, while Djokovic is set to face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Tuesday night in the quarterfinals.

Until this year, Federer had spent this fortnight in New York City every year since 1997.

Federer isn't the only one feeling like he's missing something. Fans are missing the five-time US Open champion , and are still donning RF gear in New York in his absence.

"When I do come back I think I’m going to be really really excited to be back,” Federer said. “This is really the first time I’m fighting a bigger injury.”