Tennis

Federer looks on the bright side despite defeat

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-11-29 21:54

LONDON: Roger Federer shrugged off his shock defeat by Russian Nikolay Davydenko at the ATP World Tour Finals on Saturday, preferring to concentrate on his achievement of ending the year back on top of men's tennis.

Federer looks on the bright side despite defeat

Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts during his ATP World Tour Finals semi-final tennis match against Nikolay Davydenko of Russia at the 02 Arena in London November 28, 2009. [Agencies]

The Swiss bowed out 6-2 4-6 7-5 in the semi-finals at the O2 Arena, ending seven years of complete domination over Davydenko whom he had beaten in all of their previous 12 meetings.

Federer was far from his best but though he would have liked to win the showpiece title for a fifth time the important business was concluded on Tuesday when he was confirmed as the year-end number one.

"Looking at the bright side, I still had a great season," Federer, who completed his career grand slam at the French Open before claiming a sixth Wimbledon title, told reporters.

"Looking how deep the game is right now, to finish on top for me is phenomenal. I don't know, I try not to look at too much what I did wrong this week or what I did wrong today.

"This is my last press conference of the year, so I'm happy. I had a good season, and I don't have to answer more questions."

Twelve months ago Federer was in the shadow of Rafael Nadal and when the Spaniard left him in tears by winning a five-set epic in the Australian Open final in January the year it looked as though the Swiss faced a pivotal year in his career.

After surpassing Pete Sampras's haul of 14 grand slam titles this year and landing the French Open title for the first time he has enjoyed a complete reversal of fortune and is still the yardstick for every other player.

"From a tennis standpoint, winning that combination of Paris and Wimbledon back to back, coming from so far back in so many matches in Paris, that was the most memorable," Federer said when asked for his 2009 highlights.

"I think those are incredible moments in my career. I finished number one in the world so I don't have many regrets."