Roger Federer reveals true reason he wants to topple Rafael Nadal at the Rotterdam Open
ROGER FEDERER is desperate to become world No 1 once again and secure another little bit of tennis history.
Roger Federer is competing in the Rotterdam Open this week
Roger Federer can become the world No 1 yet again if he reaches the Rotterdam semi-finals this week.
The Swiss star is currently behind Spaniard Rafael Nadal in the ATP rankings.
Nadal is still recovering from a thigh injury picked up at the Australian Open, while Melbourne champion Federer seeks to continue his excellent start to the 2018 campaign.
And the 36-year-old told Swiss newspaper Aargauer Zeitung his drive to play the Rotterdam Open is to beat Andre Agassi’s record as the oldest world No 1 in the history of the men's game.
"I'm here with all my heart and will do anything for it. That's why I'm here,” Federer said.
When I return to the top, I do not want it to be easy
Agassi was 33 when he last held the world No 1 title.
Federer could end up meeting Stan Wawrinka in the quarter-finals this week, with his compatriot therefore in position to ruin his No 1 dreams.
But the veteran says he will take any opponent he gets in Holland.
"I would like to be in that position (to take the No 1 spot), no matter who I face,” he said.
“When I return to the top, I do not want it to be easy. It would be an incredible achievement.
“That's why I'm so excited that I have Stan in my half of the draw.
"Wawrinka is aware that he might find himself in the role of the spoilsport on Friday.”
Andre Agassi holds the record as the oldest men's world No 1 at 33 years of age
Roger Federer needs to reach the semi-finals in Rotterdam to trump Rafael Nadal
Federer plays Belgian Ruben Bemelmans in his first-round match on Wednesday.
Grigor Dimitrov, David Goffin, Tomas Berdych and Alexander Zverev make up a strong field in Holland.
Federer is just 155 ranking points behind Nadal, with a semi-final berth worth 180 points.