PARIS: Roger Federer believes his Paris Masters quarter-final exit will have little effect on his season-ending assault on the World Tour Finals and a first Davis Cup title.
The 33-year-old, 17-time Grand Slam winner is set to lose ground on Novak Djokovic in the race for the year-ending world number one spot after his straight sets loss to Milos Raonic in the French capital.
But he believes the extra rest he will gain after his Friday’s setback can work in his favour ahead of the eight-man London finale before he leads Switzerland against France in the Davis Cup final.
“I’m going to keep playing on indoor courts (instead of clay, the surface for the Davis Cup final in Lille) for now. I mean, obviously two days more rest is big right now,” said Federer, whose 14-match winning streak was snapped by Raonic.
“I’m looking forward to some days off right now, really resting my body to the max in a short period of time.
“I have plenty of days to get ready for London, which is kind of nice, as well. I can actually properly practice for a change as well again.”
Federer is assured of his place at the World Finals along with Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, Marin Cilic, Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych with two places still up for grabs.
“I feel good, I feel all right. And now I have maybe nine days off. This is something I like to do, because I have been playing a lot lately. So every time I’m off I can stay with my family and I can decide when I go on the court instead of the tournament,” added the world number two.AFP
