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I may never be No. 1 again - Federer

Roger Federer is one week short of equalling Pete Sampras' record of 286 weeks as world No. 1 © Getty Images

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Roger Federer has conceded he may never return to the top of the world rankings.

The 16-time grand slam champion, who turned 30 on Monday, has spent 285 weeks at the top of the world rankings, agonisingly one week short of Pete Sampras' record. And Federer, who has slipped to third in the world order behind Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, admits Sampras' record may be one milestone he never surpasses.

"Becoming No. 1 is something that is very difficult," Federer said. "You have to accomplish something that is very special to achieve. You have to be constantly at your best."

Federer, who has won 67 singles titles over the last decade, was reflective as he prepared to celebrate his birthday.

"I've accomplished an enormous amount since I was 20," he said. "At that age, I was trying to win my first title. I had no idea how my career would turn out."

Elsewhere in the ATP rankings, Radek Stepanek has leapt up 27 places to 27th following his victory over Gael Monfils at the Legg Mason Classic in Washington, while Andrea Petkovic makes her debut in the WTA top ten following her semi-final appearance in Carlsbad.

ATP Tour Rankings
1. Novak Djokovic (SRB), 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP), 3. Roger Federer (SUI), 4. Andy Murray (GBR), 5. Robin Soderling (SWE), 6. David Ferrer (ESP), 7. Gael Monfils (FRA), 8. Mardy Fish (USA), 9. Tomas Berdych (CZE), 10. Nicolas Almagro (ESP)

WTA Tour Rankings
1. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN), 2. Kim Clijsters (BEL), 3. Vera Zvonareva (RUS), 4. Victoria Azarenka (BLR), 5. Maria Sharapova (RUS), 6. Li Na (CHN), 7. Petra Kvitova (CZE),8. Francesca Schiavone (ITA), 9. Marion Bartoli (FRA), 10. Andrea Petkovic (GER)

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