Federer chases history

Roger Federer will target a return to the top of the rankings as the Rotterdam World Tennis tournament starts on Monday, with the Swiss aiming to become the oldest No 1 player in ATP history.

The test begins at the Ahoy stadium when the 36-year-old, who won his 20th Grand Slam a fortnight ago in Melbourne, returns to the Dutch port city for the first time since 2013.

Top seed Federer starts in the first round against a qualifier in an event he has won twice, in 2005 and 2012. Should he reach the semi-finals, Federer would pass Rafael Nadal to take over the world’s top ranking.

His quarterfinal opponent could be long-time friend Stan Wawrinka, seeded fifth as he comes back from knee surgery.

Federer is just 155 points behind the injured Nadal in the standings, with a possible 180 points available for making the last four in Rotterdam.

He would surpass Andre Agassi, who held top spot in 2003 aged 33 years, 131 days.

Federer has repeatedly said he has no intention of stopping in the foreseeable future, but realises that maintaining his longevity requires his trademark precise planning, of which the decision to compete in Rotterdam is the latest example.

“I’ve won three Slams now in 12 months. I can’t believe it myself. I just got to keep a good schedule, stay hungry, then maybe good things can happen.

“I don’t think age is an issue, per se. It’s just a number,” he said after winning the Melbourne title for a sixth time.