ATP: Rotterdam-Wildcard: Federer can become number one again next week

Roger Federer will be back in the tournament a good two weeks after his Australian Open triumph. The 36-year-old wants to start with a wildcard in Rotterdam from Monday – and could be the number one again with a semi-final entry. And for the first time in over five years.

Federer’s last performance at the 500cc tournament in the Netherlands was in 2013. In 2005 and 2012, the Swiss had won the 1.86 million euro event, which was endowed with 1.86 million euros in prize money. The defending champion is Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Tournament director Richard Krajicek thus achieved a special coup, which promises to crown the “Maestro”.

Should Grand Slam record champion Federer in Rotterdam at least reach the final round, he would drive Rafael Nadal out of the sun. The Spaniard is only at the Tournament in Acapulco the following week (from 26. February) at the start.

Federer, who would have been the oldest number one to date, has so far been at the top of the world rankings for a total of 302 weeks – 237 weeks at a time. A record. Of course! In 2004,2007 and 2009 the 20-times Major Champion finished the year as the best of his profession. Last time he stood on the 4. November 2012 was at the top of the ATP ranking. He is currently 155 points behind arch-rival Nadal.