Federer eyes year-end top spot in London finale

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball to Julien Benneteau of France during their match in the Paris Masters tennis tournament November 11, 2009.

LONDON (Reuters) - Roger Federer held court in a swish hotel on the banks of the River Thames on Friday and left nobody in any doubt he was determined to become only the second male player to reclaim the year-end number one spot.

The Swiss 15-times grand slam champion can finish the year in what he feels is his rightful place with a strong showing at the ATP Tour World Finals which begin their five-year residence in London on Sunday.

Should he hold off Rafael Nadal, the man who ended his record 237-week reign at the top last year but had to hand it back after missing Wimbledon through injury, Federer will emulate Ivan Lendl.

Since computer rankings were introduced only Lendl, in 1989, has managed to retrieve the ATP year-end top spot -- a fact not lost on Federer who has claimed a sackful of tennis records.

"I'm aware of it, that's for sure," Federer, who has wife Mirka and twin daughters Charlene and Myla for company this week, told reporters. "I would be lying if I said I'm just here to play well. I'm here to win the tournament and try to stay as the number one in the world."

While his 945-point lead over Nadal in the standings looks comfortable, Federer has landed the tougher draw in the round-robin stage with Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, the man who beat him in the U.S. Open final, Spain's Fernando Verdasco and Britain's home favorite Andy Murray with him in Group A.

All three look testing for Federer, who has played just six Tour matches since losing to Del Potro in New York, and with 1,500 points up for grabs for any player who wins the title undefeated he is taking nothing for granted.

MURRAY HEADACHE

Murray, in particular, has caused Federer plenty of headaches in the past, winning six of their nine matches, but Federer is relishing going head to head with the Scot.

"I hope so," the 28-year-old replied when asked about the prospect of playing Murray in the round-robin and then again in the final. "If I beat him twice, that means I'm in the finals, he's in the finals and everybody is happy. Right?

"I'm looking forward to the match with Murray, we've had a few good ones this year and we played in the World Tour finals last year and had a great match together.

"But first I want to make a good start (on Sunday) against Verdasco. The competition is really stiff so it won't be an easy task for me or Rafa if we want to get the number one spot. It's fun that it's on the line here in London though.

"This is different to a grand slam but it's not below a grand slam. It's a very interesting format. Everybody here deserves to be here because they did some exceptional things throughout the year. I think this year it's wide open."

Federer played down talk of a Nadal decline, despite the fact he has not won a title since the Rome Masters in April having missed a chunk of the season with a knee injury.

"He had an incredible first five months of the year, he dominated the first part of the year," said Federer who suffered a tearful five-set defeat against the Mallorcan in the Australian Open final.

"He still has a chance to finish very strongly here and finish number one in the world. That doesn't seem like such a bad scenario to me."

(Editing Alison Wildey)