No. 1 is not realistic: Federer

London, Nov. 17: Roger Federer admits earning the year- end world number one ranking is no longer a realistic ambition despite his remarkable renaissance this year.

Federer is already certain to finish behind Rafael Nadal in the final rankings of 2017, but the world number two appears poised to push his old rival for top spot next year.

If week’s ATP Finals — he is through to the semifinals — he will finish the year just 140 points behind Nadal.

Having won the Australian Open and a record eighth Wimbledon title this year, Federer could have been forgiven for targeting another spell at number one.

But the 36- year- old has already spent a record 302 weeks in his career in pole position and he doesn’t believe the year- end crown is a target worth chasing hard because of the strain it would put on his body.

Federer has a carefully chosen schedule in which he doesn’t play as many tournaments as his rivals in a bid to peak at the Grand Slams.

It worked to perfection this year and he said: “Look, it’s not a realistic goal in some ways, the world number one.

“It is interesting. It’s the ultimate achievement in tennis in some ways, it always has been for me.

“But at this age, it just can’t be because I think I’ll make mistakes if I start chasing it.

“I’m not sure how much the body allows to chase goals. Maybe if I start thinking about it often, I think I’m maybe also not playing the way I’m supposed to be playing,” he added.