Roger Federer insists he is not panicking as he heads to in Paris looking to get back to winning ways at the French Open.
Federer refuses to panic despite struggling year so far
Roger Federer insists he is not panicking as he heads to Paris looking to get back to winning ways at the French Open.
The 16-time grand slam winner has not reached a final of one of tennis' four majors since winning the 2010 Australian Open - and that is the longest run in his career since 2003.
Federer has struggled this season, with just one title in Doha to his name and having dropped down to number three in the world behind Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Nadal is still the king of clay but Djokovic has been in astonishing form in his still unbeaten 2011 and has beaten the Spaniard in the last two claycourt finals.
Federer, in contrast, lost in the third round of the Rome Masters last week but he sees it as a positive as he has had more rest in the run-up to Roland Garros.
Days off
"I'm definitely happy to have a couple of days off - two, three or four days off to feel physically and mentally fresh for the French Open," said Federer.
"I am feeling great now and I'll practice when I get to Paris and that is the plan so it is in the same the last few years. This time I will get a couple more days of which is not bad."
Federer finally won the French Open title back in 2009, but his form this year suggests he will find it tough to beat Nadal or Djokovic to claim the title in Paris again.
At 29 and with the form of the top two being so strong, many have questioned whether Federer has the desire to win another grand slam or get back to the top of the rankings.
"There is nothing to panic about," Federer insisted. "(The Rome defeat) will not affect my preparation and work for the French Open.I will be fine
Number one
"It's still important for me to get back to being number one. I mentioned after Wimbledon it was a goal of mine. It's still very real and possible. I think I can do it if I win one of those grand slams.
"I still have the World Tour Finals in my pocket, I don't have a Grand Slam in my pocket, but if I win one it changes everything.
"These guys are playing better than me and other players. Novak has won a lot of tournaments, like Rafa, but I'm getting closer.
"Not much has changed for me from when I was number one. With Murray or Novak or even Rafa occasionally in my draw it was always hard.
"Everyone is so consistent. It's not like you can say Murray is bad on clay or Rafael is bad on grass. Everyone can play on every surface. I'm as optimistic as ever."
