Since missing the second half of the 2016 season through injury, Roger Federer has dramatically reduced the number of tournaments he has entered.
The Swiss legend, 36, chose to sit out of the entire clay-court season last year as well as a number of other hard-court events.
He has reaped the benefit from his decision, winning three of the last four Grand Slams he has entered.
Federer returned to world No 1 last month after over five years away from the top of the rankings.
He is currently on a 17-match winning streak in 2018, his best start to a calendar year in his career.
Former British No 1 Croft says getting the schedule right is why Federer is enjoying the twilight of his career.
“I think there has been an enormous amount of work, application but also very clever planning in terms of the schedule,” Croft said on Sky Sports.
“That’s something that he has time after time got absolutely spot on.
“It’s not an easy thing to get that balance right is it, to get your schedule right, to make sure you’re getting enough wins under your belt and to test yourself out.
“For certain players if they’re not winning a lot and they lose early, they really have to reconsider their schedule.
“But I guess with him at the moment he keeps winning and the schedule is working out perfectly.”