Tim Henman Expects Federer to Return to Number One Ranking

Written by: Staff on 14th December 2011

Tim Henman Expects Federer to Return to Number One Ranking

epa02624503 Tennis legend Tim Henman of Britain returns the ball during his BNP Paribas Zurich Open match against Henri Leconte of France at the ATP Champions Tour in Zurich, Switzerland, 09 March 2011. EPA/ALESSANDRO DELLA BELLA |

Tim Henman is in the unique position of being able to call both Roger Federer and Pete Sampras good friends. The former British Davis Cup star and world no.4 is convinced Federer will next year follow on from his dominance at the Barlcays ATP World Tour Finals and reclaim the top ranking, so surpassing Sampras’s record of 286 weeks at the summit of the sport.

Federer is currently one week short and has not held top spot since being dislodged by Rafael Nadal on June 7, 2010. But Henman is convinced the rejuvenated Swiss, even at the age of 30, can overtake both Nadal and the current occupant of the no.1 ranking, Novak Djokovic in 2012.

Henman, who won the ATP Champion’s Tour AEGON Masters at London’s Royal Albert Hall a week after Federer prevailed across the city at the 02 Arena, practiced with the Swiss and saw sufficient drive and quality to add to an already record-holding collection of Grand Slam titles.

“I think with a rolling ranking it will be interesting to see if Federer can get back to number one,” said Henman. “He is just short of Sampras’ record for most weeks at World no.1. I know Roger will really want to break that record, so I think it’s possible. I think he will win more Slams, I really do. If the conditions favor him then Roger at his best is still better than anyone else.”

Both Djokovic and Nadal admitted the physical strain of a tough year had taken its’ toll during their recent London stays but Federer appeared fresh, motivated and energized.

The Swiss today begins his Australian Open preparation at his warm weather training base in Dubai under the watchful eye of Henman’s former coach Paul Annacone.

Henman added: “My highlight of 2011 has to be Federer winning the ATP World Tour Finals in London. I’ve always been a Federer fan because I love the way he plays, and while he’s lost a few matches out there this year, he deserved to win at the 02 Arena.

“It’s amazing that people were trying to write him off. For Roger to play the way that he did in London and go beyond both Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl in terms of year ending championship victories, that was incredible.”