Federer satisfied with season

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:09

Two-time defending champion Federer needed a win against the world number four to reach the semi-finals of the season-ending showpiece for a seventh straight season but lost a classic three-hour battle 4-6 7-6 (7/3) 7-5.

“It was a good season. I was happy I could win the US Open for the fifth straight year. I’m looking forward to next year to go for six,” said the 13-time grand slam champion.

“It was also an incredible match at Wimbledon against Nadal to be part of, so that was good as well.

“I also had obviously very emotional victories again in Basel, my home town, and winning the Olympic gold for Switzerland was a big moment for me.

“It’s been a good year, but tough to start off with, tough to end. Obviously I have mixed feelings but I think it gives me the opportunity to start over all again next year.”

For the first time in four years the Swiss took his place at the eight-man circuit finale not ranked as the number one player in the world, but he was still the number one seed after Rafael Nadal pulled out through injury.

Nadal ended Federer’s record consecutive 237-week streak as world number one in August and Federer arrived in Shanghai unusually as only a single grand slam champion after winning a fifth straight US Open against Murray in September but seeing his bid for a sixth title at Wimbledon ended by the Spaniard.

Federer was able to claim three other singles title this year in Estoril, Halle and on home soil in Basel, while also winning Olympic doubles gold for Switzerland alongside Stanislas Wawrinka this summer.

Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here