Stuttgart Open 2018: Roger Federer Finds Regaining World No. 1 As Motivation

Playing in Stuttgart for the Mercedes Cup has a sort motivation for Swizz player Roger Federer, as it gives him an opportunity to once again overtake his Spaniard rival and World no. 1 Rafael Nadal for the ATP top ranking spot.

And Federer is not hiding it hope of being the sport's top ranking man after losing it to the Spaniard in November 2012, which he regained in February this year but to lose it again to in May after Rafael won in Rome. 

Federer is careful and did not want to be too optimistic as he recalled his shook defeat to German player Tomas Haas by 2-6, 7-6(8), 6-4 at the opening round last year.

Roger Federer and Tomas Haas at the Mercedes Cup in 2017

"I think that's a bit of extra motivation," he said about the opportunity ahead of him "But then again, having lost here last year in the first round, for me, it resets the goals as well, and just take it one at a time and don't think too far ahead.

He went further to say about his performance on grass-court since that defeat to Tomas saying, "I didn't drop a set for the rest of the grass-court season, which I was very happy about. So, i just hope i can find my rhythm and range a bit earlier. But very excited to be here. I'm motivated because of all these reasons."

The world no. 2 will play German Mischa Zverev in his opening match on Wednesday.