In Roger Federer's words: 'It feels great to be in the top-5 but..'

Ever since the end of his junior career in 1998, Roger Federer was one of the biggest prospects in men's tennis, leading the new generation together with Lleyton Hewitt, Marat Safin, Andy Roddick and Juan Carlos Ferrero. The Swiss claimed the first ATP title in February 2001, raising his level at Majors to reach the quarter-final at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, taking down the seven-time champion Pete Sampras in five sets and becoming the one to watch at the most significant tennis event in the years to come. In 2002, Federer played in the first Masters 1000 final in Miami and conquered the first crown at that level in Hamburg in May, cracking the top-10 for the first time on the next day after spending almost a year in the top-15. Hoping for more of the same in Paris and London, Federer failed to bring his A-game at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, losing in the opening round at both tournaments and losing a couple of places on the ATP list before embracing a strong finish of the year to find himself at the Masters Cup for the first time. In 2003, the Swiss came to Miami with most wins on the Tour, establishing himself as the top-5 player and getting used to that position and all the expectations it carries. 

"I think it's a great feeling to be in the top-5 and to achieve good things so far. It was a struggle for me last year after winning Hamburg and entering the top-10. It was challenging to lose form because I was so happy and relieved after reaching my goal. Reaching the top-5 or becoming world no. 1 is always a dream for every player but to enter the top-10 was very important as well; maybe that's the reason I didn't play well after getting there. After finishing the previous year in the top-10 and getting used to that, it doesn't matter if I'm ranked 4th or 20th."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2YGU7Oj