Federer ‘hopes’ to see Nadal at No.1

Published by Bastien Thorne

Roger Federer says he ‘hopes’ Rafael Nadal take the world No.1 this week in Montreal, but would be ‘happy’ if Andy Murray could hold onto it for another week.

Speaking to the ATP ahead of the Rogers Cup, Federer was also keen to point out that winning Indian Wells and Miami earlier in the year was no guarantee of success in Montreal or Cincinnati.

“Those Masters 1000s that I won back in March seem like ages ago,” federer opined. “Most players are coming from the grass to the hard court, and there are swirly winds in Montreal. So I feel like this has nothing to do with Indian Wells and Miami – or Wimbledon. It all starts from scratch.

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“It is different now to Indian Wells and Miami where I was just hoping to make the quarters or the semis. Maybe Rafa is in the same situation. Now we can maybe look a bit further, but I don’t like to do that because these Masters 1000s are tough from the get go.”

Federer might be the favourite to win his maiden title in Montreal, but all eyes will be watching to see whether Rafael Nadal can cap his stunning return to form by ascending to the top spot on the ATP World Tour. Nadal needs to reach the semifinals in Montreal to replace Andy Murray as world No.1.

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“It would be absolutely massive,” Federer continued. “I remember when he was injured last year, and here he is a few matches away from clinching world No.1. It seems very far, yet it’s very near so he just has to stay focused. I hope for him that he makes it, and if not I’m happy for Andy to get another week at No.1 because the run that he showed was tremendous – I have unbelievable respect for Andy.

“There will be a changing of the guard at world No.1 level, and I hope for Rafa he can get there.”

Federer will begin his Roger Cup campaign on Wednesday.

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