Roger Federer has put aside his clay-court shoes after several days of pre-Davis Cup final training and will turn his concentration exclusively to the Swiss Indoors in his bid for a sixth title in his hometown, at the arena where he began as a ballboy two decades ago and has played the last eight finals.
“I feel normal, I’m now back on the hardcourts. But it was always going to be a change from Shanghai (the Masters 1000 he won nine days ago for the first time) and the slow indoor of here,” said Federer, top seed ahead of Rafael Nadal who last played in Basel in 2004.
“I’m in total concentration mode for this tournament. The switch back was easy. After training on the clay, I will have fresher memories of it for the Davis Cup final (against France next month) that I would have from the French Open several months ago. Basel has changed a lot for me over the years. I really wanted to do well here when I was younger.
“I’ve never played poorly here, I’ve always played my level or better. Now I just take it as a normal tournament. But I’m driving my own car and meeting family and friends. it has a bit of a different twist.”
Federer, 33, is riding a wave as the ATP season comes to a close with the eight-man season wrap-up event in London from November 9. In addition to Basel, where he is seeking a sixth title, the Swiss is leaning toward playing next week’s Paris Masters and then has the year-ender to deal with. That will be followed the next weekend by the Davis final in Lille, France.
“It feels great right now, I’m happy I’m playing so well since the (May) birth of (twins) Leo and Lenny. I’m happy Switzerland made the Davis Cup finals. We’ve put ourselves in an exciting position. An away tie in France is cool.
“And the fact that I’ve gotten so close to the number one ranking is a bit of a surprise for me. I’ve not won a Slam this years but I was extremely close at Wimbledon.
“But I’ve played very consistently or I would not be in this position. It’s a very different year end for me. But If I don’t win a few more titles number one won’t happen.
“Right now, it’s all to play for, I want to start it well here in Basel.” Federer begins his first round on Wednesday against Gilles Muller of Luxembourg, whom he has defeated in all four of their meetings, the most recent at Wimbledon last summer.
Content via Bob Larson tennis News
Topics: Basel, Davis Cup, London, Paris, Roger Federer, Tennis
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