Federer takes confidence, form into season wrap-up

By Bill Scott Nov 14, 2011, 11:51 GMT

Paris - On-form Roger Federer is taking his weekend Paris Masters title in stride, profiting from a few days of rest before arriving in London fresh and fit for the season-ending World Tour Finals.

The Swiss credits sharp scheduling with his run of back-to-back titles in Basle and a first Paris Masters trophy which have sent him to the favourite's position as he defends his year-end title from Sunday onwards at the O2 arena.

The 30-year-old said that winning his last two regular season ATP events was a welcome result of careful planning, which included taking six weeks off in the autumn to rest after the hard court summer season and a Davis Cup victory for Switzerland in Australia two months ago.

'I always plan in the long term,' said the holder of 69 career titles.

'Even if this wouldn't have worked out and I would have lost early in Basle, would have struggled here, I still would have felt for London it would have been the right thing to do, to be honest, and also for next year.'

The season wrap-up for Federer is in sharp contrast to that of Novak Djokovic, who will limp into London with a shoulder injury but is guaranteed to end the year on world number one for the first time.

Federer again finds himself in the role of favourite for the eight-man event after his sizzling end to the ATP regular season. His odds are 2-1 to defend his title from 2010, when he beat Rafael Nadal in the final.

'For me this has all worked out perfectly. I'm going into London with great confidence,' said the Swiss. 'I just hope I won't feel too bad the next few days, because I'm already a little sick right now (a cold he caught form his children).

'I hope I can get through the next few days, and I'm sure I can. Hopefully I can start London strongly.'

The Swiss has won the year-ender on five of the last eight editions staged in Shanghai and London.

In contrast to Federer's near-perfect state, others besides Djokovic are hurting.

Reports from Spain are uncertain about the actual state of Rafael Nadal,who has not played for a month after losing listlessly in the Shanghai third round to German Florian Mayer.

The world number two immediately pulled the plug on his commitments, skipped Paris and is hoping to pull up refreshed in London.

American Mardy Fish, last to qualify into the year-end field, is fighting a groin muscle injury but is vowing to turn up and play no matter what.

Other in the eight-man event include Andy Murray, Spain's David Ferrer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Tomas Berdych - the last two Federer victims in Paris.

The Swiss said that while he was sorry to have missed the October Asian swing - 'I hate to disappoint my Chinese fans' - planning is key to longevity in the game.

'As an athlete and as a person you always need the short-term and long-term goals, and I have both. Sometimes you just can't have everything. Sometimes you have to pass on a few things.

'I hope also in some ways I can educate some other players, some young, up and coming players, to make sure they do take their time away from the game as well sometimes.

'I know how gruelling it is out there. I know how tough it is. Even I need my time away. It's just something we all need.'

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