Roger Federer wants to be number 1 again
World Number 2 Roger Federer has made it very clear that when it comes to rankings, he’s in the game for World Number 1, or nothing at all. In July, for the first time since November 2003, the Maestro fell out of the World’s top two, losing the position
to Serbian Novak Djokovic, and dropped to World Number 3.
Now, after finishing as runner-up to World Number 4 Andy Murray at the 2010 Shanghai Rolex Masters, Federer has moved back up to World Number 2. Despite this progress, the 29 year old does not see this as much of a cause for elation. Federer, who has won
an all-time record 16 Grand Slams said it makes no difference to him.
The player has also ousted competition to win two titles this year, one at the Australian Open and one at the ATP Masters in Cincinnati. However, he also suffered final blowouts at Madrid, Halle, Toronto and Shanghai, resulting in a very mixed year for
the pro. And as he made it abundantly clear, nothing lower than World Number 1 is good enough for him to be satisfied anymore.
"It's not that important to be two, three or four," Federer said. "For me it's either No. 1 in the world or everything else. After being No. 1 for so long and having been there it's obviously the best feeling to be there. When you're not ranked No. 1 in
the world, you obviously try to get back there".
Federer will be playing his 900th ATP match at Stockholm this week. Coming to the venue after a long, tiring flight from Shanghai, Federer seems in great form, saying, he has arrived “energized, fresh and motivated and ready to go”.
He seems ready and fresh for the challenge, saying in a press conference, “Actually I’m not jetlagged. I went to bed at midnight and woke up at 10 which is perfect. It wasn’t very tiring in Shanghai, and the only tough match I played was against Djokovic
in the semis. I have a Thursday start here, and I’m very confident that I will be in perfect shape”.
His first match at the Stockholm Open will be against American Taylor Dent, who defeated Michal Przysiezny.
This is the first time Federer is playing on these courts in ten years. He says, “I was supposed to come here two years ago, but I had a really bad back”.
When asked how he feels about these matches, Federer, who has been coached by Swede Pete Lundgren and idolizes Stefan Edberg, says, “I like to play tennis and I haven’t been here in 10 years. And the fact that Thomas (Johansson) and Jonas (Bjorkman) are
in charge makes it extra special. Physically I’m feeling good, and mentally I have a lot left in me. I don’t feel like it’s the end of the year. I intend to make it fun for myself”.
Keeping up with this promise, the Swiss player orchestrated a practice session for a crowd on the centre court at the Royal Tennis Hall in Stockholm. He also took the time out to play a doubles match with children.
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