Roger Federer: Swiss star opens up on ‘crazy’ world No 1 opportunity
ROGER FEDERER says the opportunity to become world No 1 again is “crazy”.
Roger Federer hopes to win world number one title
Federer gets his Rotterdam Open campaign underway this evening when he faces Ruben Bemelmans in the first round.
And the 36-year-old knows that if he reaches the semi-finals in Rotterdam, he will become the oldest world No 1 in men’s history.
Federer’s path to the head of the ATP rankings has been aided by the exit of compatriot Stan Wawrinka, who would have been his quarter-final opponent.
The Swiss star was last world No 1 in 2012 and he admits that the chance to return to Rotterdam and break another record is “beyond exciting”.
It's crazy actually that I have that opportunity
Federer said: ”First of all I'm very excited, you know, to be back here.
“Memories come up from my first visit here in 1999 when I got the wild card into qualies, qualified and made the quarters.
“It was an amazing tournament for me, a big step forward into the right direction of my career, and I think it taught me a lot.
“So to be back in Rotterdam is first of all, very exciting. Being able to play for World No. 1 is beyond exciting.
“It's crazy actually that I have that opportunity. Semis seem not too far away but yet it's still a big step.
“So I'm here trying to prepare as well as I can, see what happens and go from there.”