Federer throws his hat into the ring for number one spot
The Swiss maestro has announced his pre-US Open plans and will go head-to-head with Nadal and Murray for the ATP top ranking.Super Bowl 2018 live online: Patriots vs Eagles
World number three Roger Federer, who captured his record 19th Grand Slam singles crown last month at Wimbledon, said Tuesday he will play in next week's ATP event at Montreal as well as Cincinnati in the run-up to the US Open, where the Swiss will attempt to secure a 20th major title.
While Federer fine-tunes his hard court game ahead of the final Grand Slam of the season he will also be in the running for the world number one ranking, a position he has not held since October 2012.
Federer on the tail of Nadal and Murray
Rafa Nadal can dethrone Andy Murray if he wins in Montreal, regardless of the Scot’s results, while Federer can move to the summit in Cincinnati depending on the performances of Nadal and Murray. While Murray has 960 points to defend in the three US Open Series tournaments, Nadal has only 270 and Federer, who did not compete in any of the three last season, can make up plenty of ground on the two with a run of wins under his belt.
The Rogers Cup event marks the 35-year-old Swiss star's first warm-up event for the US Open, which starts August 28, and will be his first visit to Montreal since 2011.
The Canadian hard court event alternates between Montreal and Toronto with a WTA event every year.
Federer: "I'm happy to be coming back to Montreal"
"I'm happy to be coming back to Montreal, as I have not had the chance to play there for many years," Federer said. "This 2017 season has been very exciting and I am really looking forward to being back on the court."
Federer captured the Australian Open for the fifth time in his career, then won his eighth Wimbledon title. Federer also took titles at Indian Wells, Miami and Halle.
It also means Federer will celebrate his 36th birthday next Tuesday in Montreal.
"We are celebrating today and the celebrations will continue over the next few days, especially since Federer will celebrate his birthday with us on August 8," said tournament director Eugene Lapierre. "I'm certain the Montreal fans will give him the welcome he deserves."
Federer seeks his third crown in the Canadian event but the first in Montreal after 2004 and 2006 triumphs in Toronto.