Federer eyes return to top in 2011

Federer remains world number two in latest ATP rankings despite victory over Nadal.

LONDON: Roger Federer believes his ATP World Tour Finals triumph against Rafael Nadal will provide him with the perfect springboard to return to the top in 2011.

Federer remains world number two in the latest ATP rankings despite his 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Nadal that handed him his record-equalling fifth title at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday.

Federer has had a disappointing run this year where he lost his world number one ranking to Nadal, who is now 3,305 points ahead of the Swiss in the rankings.

“I’m happy I made my ninth final this season,” said Federer. “I’ve won five titles, won a slam. I believe I can have another great season in 2011. Obviously, beating Rafa in the final makes it extra special because of the year he had.”

Nadal was happy to credit the Swiss for his impressive display but he hinted tiredness after his epic three-set win over Andy Murray in the semi-final on Saturday had taken its toll on him.

“I don’t want to say I lost the match because I was tired. What I’m going to say is I lost the match because I played against a very good Federer on one of his favourite surfaces. “

Meanwhile, Nadal insists he does not feel under any pressure to emulate his feats this year. “I start the season and everything starts again. In Australia or in Doha when I start the season, I have zero points. So we start from there.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2010.