Federer says he's fit for Masters Cup

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SHANGHAI, China -- Roger Federer doesn't like hearing himself announced as the world's second-ranked player, and hopes his aching back doesn't hamper his pursuit of regaining top spot.

"I just don't like the ring of it," the defending champion said Saturday with a smile on the eve of the season-ending Masters Cup. "It sounds a bit awkward to me. It is a challenge to get back to No. 1."

Rafael Nadal is out of this event due to an aching knee but already has wrapped up the year-end top ranking. Federer is therefore looking at Shanghai as a chance to build some momentum for 2009, with the Australian Open in January his first chance to tie Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam titles after winning the U.S. Open in September.

"I haven't been thinking about it much," Federer said. "Once I go on vacation, I'll have plenty of time for that."

The biggest question is his back. Federer withdrew from the Paris Masters last week. He has been getting daily treatment and taking painkillers.

"It's way better than last Friday," Federer said as the eight Masters Cup players, dressed in matching gray suits and black silk shirts, met with reporters. "I've been able to practice without pain."

Still, he doesn't know quite what to expect when he faces France's Gilles Simon on Monday in round-robin play at the tournament for the world's top eight.

"I'm not sure because I haven't been pushing it to the very limit," the Swiss star said, adding that he's worried he could tweak his back again. "It just needs as much time as possible."

Still, he declared himself the favourite, an opinion echoed by other players, even though some of them have been in better form in recent weeks.

"I'm here to win," Federer said. "I'm not here just to participate."

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, one of four players making his Masters Cup debut, was the last man to clinch a spot in the elite field, winning in Paris.

"For me, it's just amazing; it's a dream," said Tsonga, who plays fourth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko on Sunday after No. 3 Novak Djokovic of Serbia opens the event against Juan Martin del Potro. The Argentine earlier in the year won 23 straight matches and four consecutive tournaments.

Tsonga, who thinks the indoor Qi Zhong Tennis Center will suit his game, has jumped in the ratings despite missing three months recuperating from knee surgery -- a break that may have worked in his favour as other players wind down the long tennis season.

"I feel great," Tsonga said, "stronger than at the start of the year" when he reached the Australian Open final, losing to Djokovic.

Djokovic, who dropped all three of his matches here last year and complained he was exhausted after playing a heavy schedule in his breakthrough season, said he's feeling much better this time, though his recent results -- losing in the round of 16 in his last two tournaments -- don't reflect it.

"I haven't lately found my rhythm," the Serb said. "Physically, I feel good."

.Andy Roddick, who has been recuperating from injury, also said he's feeling fit, though he's looking forward to the off-season to get back in peak form. Unlike some players, he doesn't use the break to rest up, saying he starts getting itchy to do something when he has spare time.

"I was just telling my fiancee I don't know how I'll get through a honeymoon," Roddick said. "How am I going to sit still for five days?"

He also reckons he has maybe about four years of competitive-level tennis left, and that he'll miss it when he's gone.

"My bad days still are pretty good in the scheme of things," said Roddick, who's still looking for a new fulltime coach after splitting ways with Jimmy Connors.

He will play Monday against Britain's Andy Murray.