Roger Federer reveals 'turning point' hope for Paris Masters | Tennis | Sport



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The Swiss legend claimed the 99th singles title of his illustrious career at the Swiss Indoors last week, declaring afterwards: "The relief is big, it could be a turning point."

Basel was Federer's first win since the Stuttgart Open in mid-June having lost in finals in Halle and Cincinnati and was disappointing defeats at Wimbledon and the US Open to Kevin Anderson and John Millman, more than half the finals of the Shanghai Masters to Borna Coric.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic's The 37-year-old has been in the world for the first time in 2015 but has a tough draw – and potential showdowns.

Yet after a tough period, Federer is feeling full of confidence and keen to continue his recent progress in the Finals in London next month.

Federer is a six-time winner at the season-ending event, which is one of the top-ranked players.

He is the most successful player in the tournament's history, though he is the only one of his kind. Djokovic is only one triumph behind and the Serbian will be hoping to win over him.

Federer has not won the ATP Finals in any of the last six years, but he hopes winning in Basel can propel a strong finish to the year in Paris and London.

He told ATP World Tour: "I've had the best games sometimes, if I look back at some of my losses in Wimbledon and maybe also in Cincinnati the way I lost, I did not quite enjoy that.

"Also, it's not easy, losing to Millman in the circumstances is not a good feeling obviously.

"I was happy how the Laver Cup turned around for me and also Shanghai I started to play better tennis, so I'm happy that this could be a turning point.

"You need confidence, especially in London, if you want to beat the best players in the world and have not played against a lot of top-10 players this year.

"I do not know why it is, if it's just the luck of the draw I should have won a couple of.

"It's been a good season overall so I'm happy I'm back to winning ways and this gets me one step closer to 100 titles which is a big goal of mine.

"Every tournament I play for the rest of my life I'll be lucky to reach 100 so for every tournament I'll be super excited.

"If it happens, it's great. If it does not, it does not. I'll give it the best chance I have. Every tournament I'll prepare the best possible way.

"It's always nice winning titles, that's the goal – that's why I'm still on the tour. Sometimes it's less about the ranking, less reaching reaching the semi-finals of a tournament.

"I'd rather win a tournament than reach the seeds of a bigger tournament to be honest.

Especially home tournaments, which I make a priority for me like Basel, which for me is a massive deal. Leaving a tournament without having lost is a great feeling for any athlete I believe. "

Federer faces Milos Raonic in his opening match at the Paris Masters later today.

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