Roger Federer does not want to make the same mistakes as last year and enter the ATP Finals with a niggling injury.
The 38-year-old will decide today if he will compete at this week’s Paris Masters.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner reached the semi-finals of last year’s Paris event but that led to issues at the ATP Finals.
So Federer is considering skipping the French competition to ensure he is fully prepared for the finale at London’s O2 Arena.
“I’m not afraid I would hurt myself if I went to Paris,” Federer said.
“But last year I had a stiff back in front of London. My goal is for me to travel 100 per cent to London.
“And if I can do that and not win, even though I put everything into the balance, that’s okay. Then I can accept that.”
Federer has not won a Grand Slam title this year so he says the 1,500 ATP points available at the ATP Finals has added importance.
“I played well at the Grand Slams this year but unfortunately it did not quite work out,” Federer explained.
“Yes, maybe this will make the ATP final even more important for me.
“I know, the level is there. The self-confidence too. I’ve been training top in the last six months, it could not have been better.”
Meanwhile, Federer won his 10th Swiss Indoors title yesterday by beating Australian youngster Alex De Minaur in the final.
He added: “I feel a huge satisfaction. It was an incredible tournament for me. I sprinted through from start to finish.
“I have always felt well, got in well in every match, never had much trouble.
“So maybe I could enjoy it even more, sometimes wandering my mind during the matches.
“Because I did not have to win with a fight and cramp, as was often the case in Basel. It is a privilege that I am still allowed to experience it.”
