Roger Federer will LOSE world No 1 spot to Rafael Nadal and this proves it
RAFAEL NADAL fans should not fear Roger Federer regaining No 1 spot when he takes on Robin Haase this evening.
Federer defeats Haase to become world number one
Federer will climb back to the summit of the ATP Tour rankings should he beat Haase at the Rotterdam Open.
The 36-year-old has enjoyed a stunning 13 months that has seen him win the Australian Open twice as well as a history eighth Wimbledon title.
Many deemed Federer past it a few years ago but the Swiss star has responded in emphatic fashion - and can silence his critics for good today.
Yet history suggests he may struggle to cling onto the spot he has coveted for so long.
Back in 2012, Roger Federer sensationally won Wimbledon and, as a result, etched his name into the history books.
Victory in London saw him emulate the legendary Pete Sampras by spending 286 weeks in total on top of the world.
But the rest of the year saw him struggle.
Novak Djokovic instead emerged as the best player in the game and beat Federer en route to winning the US Open.
And the Serb then sensationally robbed him of top spot in November that year.
Djokovic won the Shanghai Masters and, when Federer was unable to compete in the Paris Masters, the 30-year-old replaced him at the top of the tour.
As a result, history suggests that, even if Federer wins tonight, he may not stay at the top for long.
But the golden oldie is unfazed about it all - according to journalist Courtney Nguyen.
Fans root for Roger Federer during match against Robin Haase
“This is a conversation we’ve had about Rafa for the last 10 years,” Nguyen said on the No Challenges Remaining podcast.
“The way that he plays the sport is not sustainable, that’s why there has always been questions about whether or not his body could endure the way that he plays.
“That is what’s frustratingly amazing about Roger. The way that he plays, he can do those things.
“That is his benefit and he is allowed to take advantage of it.
“If Rafa can’t take advantage of it because he has to play a full clay court season because he wants all the points because he cares about being No 1, like Roger doesn’t care about being No 1.
“If he cared about No 1 he would have adjusted his schedule accordingly.”