Roger Federer Is Surprised To Get a Death Threat

Written by: Staff on 8th October 2012

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

Roger Federer Is Surprised To Get a Death Threat

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 is determined the death threat he was issued in the build up to the Shanghai Rolex Masters will not affect his determination to end 2012 as the world’s no.1 ranked male player for the sixth time in his career.

Novak Djokovic’s win at the China Open in Beijing took him to the top of the 2012 points race but Federer remains top of the actual world rankings and he admitted to being surprised and disappointed at the level of attention given to a death threat he received last week.

Federer delayed his arrival in Shanghai and opted against traveling with wife Mirka and twin daughters after initially planning to take them on the trip. “I’m a bit disappointed that it became a lot more public and came out in the press,” Federer said. “It was very small on a website, nothing very clear and concrete – people debating. To make that kind of big news is a bit surprising for me.”

Shanghai’s chief of police has also said he will boost the police presence around the ATP event at the Qi Zhing tennis centre and Federer insisted he is more than happy with the security arrangements in China and said: “I’ve felt very safe here, the authorities have been wonderful, the government has been very supportive and I’ve felt great since I’ve been here.

“Obviously it’s been a different type of preparation and it’s a little bit of a distraction – there’s no doubt about it. You have to be aware of what’s happening around about you but that is the case anywhere today with my fame and all that stuff. But it’s been fine. I’m happy I’m here and I feel I’ll have a good preparation to start on Wednesday or Thursday.”

Federer has not held the year ending ranking since 2009 with Rafael Nadal taking top spot the following year and Novak Djokovic in 2011. The Serb is again closing ground but Federer maintained a relaxed mood on the issue.

“Of course I hope I will finish World no.1 at the end of the year,” said Federer, whose only competitive outing since losing the US Open quarterfinal to Tomas Berdych was representing Switzerland against the Netherlands in the Davis Cup and registering two victories. “For me it’s about trying to play well here in Shanghai and go from there. If everything would have been totally focused on world No. 1, I would have gone to Tokyo or Beijing , most likely, and all those things.

“I’ve already reached my goal by getting back to World No. 1 in the summer. That was for me the goal, getting back there and winning a Grand Slam, particularly Wimbledon , plus the Olympic gold medal is a big thing for me as well.

“I feel very much at peace and I’m happy. I always have to look 12 months ahead, as well, making sure I stay injury free, that I stay hungry for more. This is where if it works out, great, and if it doesn’t, someone else plays better. I am here, so I’ll give it the best shot I can and we’ll see how it goes.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: China Open 2012, China Tennis news, Roger Federer, Shanghai Rolex Masters, Swiss tennis news, Tennis News, tennis threat