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Federer still hunting down Nadal

Roger Federer lost in the final of the Shanghai Masters to Andy Murray © Getty Images

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Roger Federer is determined to dislodge Rafael Nadal from the top of the world rankings next season.

Between them, Federer and Nadal have occupied the No. 1 spot since February 2004, but after his leanest season on the ATP tour since 2001, the 16-time grand slam champion is determined to return to the top spot.

Nadal is already guaranteed to finish the year as world No. 1, but Federer, who returns to action at the Stockholm Open this week, is determined the end the season on a high.

Federer is one week short of Pete Sampras' record of 286 weeks spent at the top of the world rankings, and although he leapfrogged Novak Djokovic to return to No. 2 spot on Monday, it makes little difference to the Swiss.

"For me it's not that important to be two, three or four. Sure you would like to be ranked as high as possible but for me it's either No. 1 in the world or everything else," Federer said.

"After being No. 1 for so long and having been there it's obviously the best feeling to be there. But when you are not ranked No. 1, you obviously try to get back there. It's about concentrating, week by week trying to win tournaments."

Federer has just two titles to his name this season - the Australian Open and the Cincinnati Masters. But with just 60 matches behind him on the ATP Tour this season - only Murray has played fewer - the 29-year-old insists he still has plenty left in the tank.

"I don't feel like, 'It's the end of the season, oh my God, I wish it's over'," Federer said. "This is usually the time where you do get a little bit tired, when the sun goes down at 4 or 5pm and ... all you want to do is go on vacation after a long season.

"I've really played well the last months. Physically I'm really well, mentally I feel like I have a lot left in me for the end of the year. I have such amazing fans around the world and for me it's a great thrill to be playing the centre courts. There's always people cheering me on, wanting an autograph, wanting to take a picture. That does keep me going."

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