Top-ranked Roger Federer said world number two Rafael Nadal remains his main rival despite two more defeats to muscular Argentine David Nalbandian in the past month.
SHANGHAI: Top-ranked Roger Federer said world number two Rafael Nadal remains his main rival despite two more defeats to muscular Argentine David Nalbandian in the past month.
Federer was sent packing in the Madrid Masters final and then at Paris by Nalbandian, the only top-10 player apart from Nadal not to have a losing head-to-head record with the Swiss (8-8).
But Federer said his classic showdowns with Nadal, including five-set thrillers at this year's Wimbledon and at Rome last season, meant the Spaniard was still his number one competitor.
"It's still Nadal," he said of the Spaniard, who will open the year-ending Masters Cup later on Sunday.
"We've been at the very top for over 110 weeks at least and we've had a great rivalry. The match at Wimbledon will be ingrained in my memory, also the final in Rome."
"We've had some great matches and he remains my main competition."
Federer will be relieved Nalbandian, his conqueror in the marathon Masters Cup final of 2005, did not make the trip to Shanghai despite finishing the season in ninth spot.
Nalbandian, who took part two years ago because of injuries among the top eight players, passed up the chance to travel again as a replacement reportedly because Shanghai was too far away.
"The best eight are here," Federer said. "He's been playing very well, he's beaten the best but he didn't play his best for the entire season. Only the ones who played consistently the entire year are going to make it here."
Federer said he had quickly come to terms with his unaccustomed defeats and tried to learn lessons from them.
"It's quickly forgotten. I think that's what you have to do as an athlete -- you have to look forward," he said.
"It's important to look at the positive side. You have to analyse it because you can learn from defeats but you can't get too down on yourself."
The 12-time Grand Slam champion also admitted he will travel to Beijing next year desperate to win Olympic gold, one of the few titles that has eluded him.
Federer, 26, finished fourth in 2000 and was knocked out in round two at Athens.
"I would like to go there and win a medal," he said. "I want to get at least the semi-finals and go from there.
"But an Olympic gold would be something very special."
Nadal will face French debutant Richard Gasquet in the opening match of the elite tournament, featuring the top eight players, later on Sunday.
Defending champion Federer, bidding for his fourth title, plays his first match on Monday.
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