Federer Heads Home To Basel With Number One Ranking In His Pocket

Written by: Staff on 15th October 2012

Davis Cup World Group play-off between the Netherlands and Switzerland

Federer Heads Home To Basel With Number One Ranking In His Pocket

epa03399734 Swiss Roger Federer in action against Robin Haase of the Netherlands during their match for the Davis Cup World Group play-off between the Netherlands and Switzerland in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 16 September 2012. Federer won in three sets (6-1 6-4 6-4) which meant the victory for Switzerland in total. EPA/TOUSSAINT KLUITERS |

Roger Federer was far from happy after losing his Shanghai Masters semi-final 6-4, 6-4 to Andy Murray. But the Swiss says that despite the setback he has already achieved his main objective for this ATP season as he heads to his home Swiss Indoors event in Basel in a week.

Despite going down to defeat, Federer said that whatever happens in the remaining three weeks of his season,he has achieved a major goal: “I wanted to get back to world No. 1 this year,” he said, achieving the position as he beat Murray for the Wimbledon title. “I’ve already achieved my goal.

“I would love to finish No. 1 as well for the end of the year. For that it’s going to take a great stretch again, winning Basel, Paris and London I assume to give myself a chance.

But Murray has now gotten his own back twice since his Wimbledon loss, at the Olympic gold medal match and in Shanghai. Federer’s chances of finishing the season on top of the ATP again also depends in part on Novak Djokovic, chasing closely on second in the rolling, 12-month ranking race.

“We’ll see how it goes, I’m relaxed about it, I’ll give everything I can,” said Federer, winner of Basel, Paris and the London finals a year ago. “I want to get through this season well and finish strong. But it’s not the number one goal right now. Right now it’s to manage my schedule, hopefully be in good shape for Basel, then kind of go from there.

“Just to repeat, the goal was to become world No. 1 this year, which happened, not the end of the year. But if that happens, that’s a bonus.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Andy Murray, Basel tennis news, Roger as number one, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis News