Roger Federer says he "has the fire back" as he prepares for a tilt at a record-breaking sixth ATP World Tour Finals title.Federer is the defending champion at the O2 Arena in London and, ahead of his tournament opener against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Sunday, the Swiss great is delighted with how his preparations have gone.A six-week break after the US Open has been followed by back-to-back successes in Basel and Paris and he arrives in London as the tournament favourite.Speaking at a charity gala which raised more than £400,000 which will go towards a new heart and lung centre at London's Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, Federer told Sky Sports: "It's always nice being back in London and to a place or championship where I've played so well in the past."I've had a great last two weeks and before that a lot of time off for family and practice and getting some energy and some fire back."I'm very happy how things are going and I couldn't be more happy to be qualified (for the Finals) again."British hopes lie with Andy Murray, who has been in good form himself of late, winning three tournaments in a row during the tour's Asian swing.However, Murray, beaten in the semi-finals last year, does not expect things to be easy."Every match is nails, it's really tough here," he said."If I play well I'll give myself a chance, but all the guys that are here have all played great tennis this year and it's going to be tough."Murray will face world number one Novak Djokovic in the group stages at the O2 and the Serb is relishing playing in front of 17,000 fans again.He said: "I think English people have a lot of appreciation for tennis and a lot of knowledge because of Wimbledon."It's always a packed staidum and full house and for us players it's always a pleasure to be part of such an event."Rafael Nadal echoed those sentiments, adding: "The atmosphere in the O2 Arena and the court is fantastic."You can be tired (at the end of the season) but when you are there and go on court and see the full crowd it's a very, very high motivation.
GMT 13:37 2018 Wednesday ,12 December
WADA views International Sambo Federation as one of best in fight against doping abuseGMT 17:20 2018 Monday ,26 November
Russian football top-league’s clubs spent over $209 mln on transfer activities in 2017GMT 17:16 2018 Wednesday ,10 October
Charges against Russian national footballers Kokorin, MamaevGMT 05:55 2018 Saturday ,06 October
Don King seeks $2 mln with CAS for Stiverne-Povetkin cancelled boutGMT 09:45 2018 Wednesday ,24 January
Farrell lone Englishman on Euro awards long listGMT 08:24 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Brewers make offer to Japanese pitcher DarvishGMT 10:31 2018 Friday ,19 January
Man Utd set to make Sanchez highest-paid Premier League playerGMT 08:23 2018 Saturday ,13 January
Alvarez vs Golovkin rematch coming in May: reportMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor