• What the Deuce

Can the Fed-Express hit top speed in Basel?

Roger Federer is looking to get back on track at his home event © Nationale Suisse

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As Roger Federer unveiled a train named in his honour in his hometown of Basel, the world No. 4 will be looking to get his season back on track in Switzerland.

With his sponsors National Suisse agreeing to donate to Federer's foundation for every kilometre travelled by the train, the question remains, how much mileage is left in Federer?

The 16-time grand slam champion is continually forced to bat away suggestions he is headed for retirement, and he insists he still has as much passion for the game as he has ever done.

While Justine Henin, often hailed as the female Federer, retired as reigning world No. 1 (although she did return to the sport briefly last season), and the great Pete Sampras claimed victory in his final grand slam, Federer may have missed his chance to bow out on a high.

Federer returns to action at his home event at the Swiss Indoors in Basel this week, where he is a four-time champion. Bidding to defend his title at the event he once served as a ball-boy, a win for Federer would be the romantics' choice as he looks to end a ten-month title drought.

Once upon a time Rafael Nadal was Federer's only real nemesis, but the rivalry has become a so-called 'trivalry' with the ascent of Novak Djokovic. And with the in-form Andy Murray threatening to muscle in on the act, Federer's chances of victory have narrowed considerably.

Despite his insistence that it doesn't bother him, dropping out of the world's top three for the first time since 2003 would have undoubtedly smarted, and with Federer set to end the year without a grand slam trophy on his mantelpiece for the first time in eight years, the Swiss is running out of reasons to smile.

Novak Djokovic has beaten Federer four times in five meetings this season © Getty Images

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Federer has not won a trophy since January, back when Djokovic was a mere mortal. Ten months is a long time in tennis. To put it into perspective, when Federer last won a title, Djokovic was just two matches into his 41-match unbeaten streak.

"I'm completely relaxed and hope it goes well like last year," Federer said. "I'm playing well at the moment. The training is going well and I'm really fit. Whether I'm second, third or fourth doesn't really matter. It just means that the others like Murray, Djokovic and Nadal are playing very well at the moment. But some media don't want to believe that it's possible for four players to play well at the same time."

You can have any number of players playing well at any one time, but ultimately only one champion at any given tournament. No matter how well he is playing, if Federer fails to negotiate his way past Murray, Djokovic, or whoever else crosses his path in Basel, he will slip further behind Murray in the world rankings.

But it is not just 500 ranking points on the line for Federer - his pride is at stake and it is the chance to show he is still one of the best players in the world. Wherever he plays, Federer has a hugely devoted following around the globe, but playing in front of his home crowd adds an extra dynamic to the equation.

Having safely negotiated his way past Potito Starace in the first round, Federer will have one eye on a potential semi-final against Murray, ahead of what is likely to be a mouth-watering final showdown against Djokovic.

With 67 career titles to his name, Federer is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever grace a tennis court. His 16 majors have ensured he has already secured his place in the history books, but the Swiss insists he can still challenge for more.

It may lack the prestige of Wimbledon or the US Open, but this is a big week for Federer, and his performance in Basel may give us an insight into just how much mileage there is left in the great man.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.