Roger Federer pleased with 2010, predicts another great year in 2011
Following a season of usual intense competition between himself and World Number 1 Rafael Nadal, the Swiss pro Roger Federer is already looking forward to another year of the same rivalry. This eagerness to begin again was spurred on by his magnificent defeat
of the Spanish player at the 2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals' title match on Sunday.
Roger Federer took away the men’s season-ending trophy for a record fifth time in his praiseworthy career, defeating his opponent with an almost unbelievable score line of 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. However, despite this victory, Rafa still leads the ATP Rankings with
over 3000 ranking points more than Federer. The next tournament where points may be won by either player is the first Grand Slam event of the New Year, the Australian Open to be held in January 2011.
While Nadal has taken away Wimbledon, the US Open and Roland Garros, Federer will be defending the title he earned in Melbourne last year, as he tries to take up his number of Grand Slam wins to 17 titles. The Swiss star seems to be looking forward to the
challenge, saying, “I think we can really look forward to another classic season in men's tennis.”
He also acknowledges that he and Rafael Nadal both have some ground to cover in January, “I start with a lot of pressure, having to defend the Australian Open. Rafa doesn't have that, he's going in with pressure trying to win his fourth [grand slam] in a
row, so I think there's a lot at stake.”
Although, Federer has only beaten Nadal for the eighth time in a total of 22 career meetings in London, he has however won all three of the duo’s indoor battles. He seemed pleased with his victory and called it the perfect way to end his season. The maestro
declared, “Obviously it makes it extra special, playing Rafa and beating him in the final. For me, it is a great finish to the season.”
The event, which is held annually, has moved to London’s O2 Arena since 2009. The prestigious title is contested among the world’s top eight players on the ATP tour. The top four seeds also reached the event’s semi finals, with Nadal fighting against British
Number 1 Andy Murray for three sets and Federer crushing the hopes of Serbia’s tennis pro, Novak Djokovic. Federer also commented on this format, saying, “To beat all my closest rivals Murray, Djokovic and Rafa in this tournament has been fantastic. Djokovic
and Murray both had another great season."
Federer called the atmosphere “absolutely fantastic”, and described his victory as a fitting end to a good season. He added, “This is another season I'm going to look back on and say 'I think I played another great season' and this gives me great motivation
to do well again next year.”
Meanwhile, both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal plan to play two exhibition matches against each other to promote their respective charity foundations in December. The first such match will take place in Zurich, Switzerland on 21st December. The
second match will be played in Madrid, Spain the next day.
The two players have taken away 25 of the last 30 Grand Slams between them, allowing other players little elbow room to take a title away.
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