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Confident Federer gunning for success in 2014

Roger Federer only won one title in 2013 © Getty Images

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Roger Federer believes he will return to form next season, and has revealed that "the fun" has come back into his game.

The record 17-time grand slam champion only lifted one title in 2013 (Halle), and suffered disappointing early exits at Wimbledon and the US Open, as well as tumbling in the rankings.

Having been the world No. 1 at the start of 2012, Federer ended this season sixth. Following a difficult campaign where he split with coach Paul Annacone, tested out a new racquet with a larger head frame and suffered with a back problem, the Swiss intends to have a strong season next year.

"I can see no reason why I shouldn't play better again in 2014, and have some great wins. I have still got some major goals, because I certainly haven't forgotten how to play tennis; after all, I was still number one in the fall of 2012, and at the end of the season, once my back was better, my results also improved," Federer is quoted as saying on SI.com to his sponsors Credit Suisse Bank.

"I reached the final in Basel and the semi-finals at Paris-Bercy and the World Tour Finals, and beat top ten players without playing my best tennis. If my serve or my forehand had been a bit more solid, the results could have been much better," he added.

At the World Tour Finals at London's O2 Arena, Novak Djokovic said Federer struggled in the season because of his movement slowing down, and the 32-year-old agreed with the Serb.

"What he says is true. But it would also be strange if I could move wonderfully and at my best after a year when I couldn't train enough and in between times lost quite a bit of my self-confidence. I don't feel that I am as fast as in my best years, either. But despite that I can still compete with the best. That makes me feel positive," Federer said.

Federer has decided to abandon his off-season exhibitions and instead take part in a rigorous training regime to be ready for the 2014 season, and he has revealed he is comfortable with the people around him following on from Annacone's departure.

"By the end, everyone around me was talking positively again, the mood was much better than in the summer," he said. "That boosts my morale for the coming year, and it's a big relief. The fun has definitely returned."

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