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Sunday November 22, 2009

Federer and Nadal have score to settle at ATP Tour Finals

LONDON: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will stage the last chapter of their battle to finish the year as world number one when the ATP Tour Finals get under way in London today.

Federer goes into the Tour Finals at the O2 Arena top of the world rankings, but the Wimbledon champion knows second-placed Nadal can still snatch first place if the Spaniard wins the prestigious end-of-year event.

The race for pole position is the latest installment of an enthralling rivalry between two of the sport’s all-time greats. Although Federer and Nadal remain friendly enough off the court, the Swiss star relishes his position as tennis’s pre-eminent force and has no intention of surrendering it over the next week.

“I am aware of it (the race to finish world number one) and I would be lying if I said I was just here to play well,” said Federer, who kicks off his Group A campaign against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco today.

“Definitely I am here to win the tournament and to try to stay number one in the world. It is obvious.

We could be GQ models: (from left) Fernando Verdasco, Juan Martin del Potro, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Nikolay Davydenko and Robin Soderling posing in front of a London bus on Friday. — AP

“The competition is really stiff so it is not going to be easy for me or Rafa if he wants to get it.

“I think it is fun that it is on the line for the last tournament of the season. I will try my best and see where it takes me.”

While Federer is setting his sights firmly on that number one position, Nadal is less concerned about the rankings.

The four-time French Open champion has endured the most traumatic year of his career, with his parents’ separation proving a significant distraction before injury denied him the chance to defend his Wimbledon title.

Now fully fit again Nadal, 23, claims he is just relieved to be able to test himself against the world’s best again.

“I feel perfect in all aspects, mentally and physically,” he said. “I will play against the best players in the world so I can lose every match but I can win every game as well.

“For me the main thing is to be here and enjoy this experience. The rest, finishing number one doesn’t matter.

“My only goal is to try to play my best tennis here in London.

“If I am competitive then I am more than happy. To be number one I have to win the tournament. I can’t lose any matches so for me it is not a real chance.”

British number one Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro, who beat the Swiss in September’s US Open final, are also in Federer’s group.

Group B features Nadal, reigning Tour Finals champion Novak Djokovic, Nikolay Davydenko and Sweden’s Robin Soderling, who was handed his place when Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick pulled out through injury earlier this week. — AFP

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