Roger Federer: Next Year I’d Like To Win At Least 5 Titles, My Ranking Is Secondary
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Following a tough 75, 63 loss to rival Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals, Roger Federer looked ahead toward his goals for next season.
“Winning titles, winning five titles or something, I guess, something exciting, leaving the tournaments as winner. That’s what keeps things exciting,” Federer said. “Rankings, if it’s not world No. 1, then I’m not that interested in. Even though you kind of look at it, it would be nice to stay in the top four, top eight, that kind of thing, for seeding purposes more than anything else. Other than that, it’s either world No. 1 or tournaments or big tournaments in general.”
Federer, who struggled for much of the season, came on strong the last month giving some much-needed optimism for his fans.
“I think it was a stronger finish than I thought it was going to be in Basel, Paris and London,” Federer said. “I’m more positive now looking ahead than I would have been a few months ago where I wasn’t quite sure what to expect after the US Open.
“But I’m back confident and excited going into the off‑season and starting again next year. Like I mentioned, the rankings are secondary for me. It’s important to stay within a certain ranking. But after that I need to make sure I stay competitive, I can hang with the best, and particularly beat the best.”
Federer then hinted at his 2014 schedule.
“I don’t know if I’m going to play more necessarily,” he said. “I’m just going to play a full schedule. What that means, I don’t know yet. I mean, it’s pretty much planned through my season. Clearly Grand Slams are going to be part of my highlights.
“I just still have to decide what the goal is there, then I’ll just attack and try to play good tennis.”
Speaking of the loss to Nadal, which drops him to 10-22 lifetime against the Spaniard, he gave credit to his friend for playing well.
“The margins were more on his side,” he said. “He was playing more consistent. He was playing more solid. He plays the way he always plays. I just couldn’t come up with the shots when I needed them, forehand or serve, moving forward. It’s unbelievable that he gets away with playing so far back indoors these days, but that’s the conditions. So credit to him for making that work for him.”
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