World number one Roger Federer admits it will be difficult to repeat last year’s late-season heroics in the final weeks of 2012.
The 31-year-old won a hat-trick of titles at the Swiss Indoors, the Paribas Masters and the World Tour Finals at the end of 2011, and has been quizzed on his chances of repeating the feat this year.
Speaking after his first-round win over Benjamin Becker at the Basel event, Federer told sports betting news networks:
“I think it’s possible, but look, it’s tough. It all depends on what the scheduling is, who your opponents are and if you get a chance to get on a run.
“But that shouldn’t be my goal right now to win all three again. The goal is to first play here and see how I go.”
The Basel-born star has won the Swiss Indoors title on five occasions, with three more appearances in the final.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion is well fancied to make it six wins after another successful season on the circuit. He lifted his seventh Wimbledon title in the summer before winning silver at the Olympics.
Federer, however, faces a fight to end 2012 at the top of the rankings, with Novak Djokovic closing in.
The Swiss admitted he is looking forward to the season finale in London, but is determined to remain focussed.
“It is one of the biggest events we have in the sport and I want to finish the season strong against my fellow top 10 players,” Federer added.
“So there is still a lot on the line, but right now I have to think day by day. It’s the only way to handle the next crazy three weeks.”
Federer, a favourite of the betting community, will face either Brazilian Thomaz Belluci or Japan’s Go Soeda in the next round of the Swiss Indoors.
