Federer is set to shift his schedule (Picture: Getty)

Roger Federer has admitted he may skip the Paris Masters after Rafael Nadal’s US Open win opened the gap at the top of the ATP rankings.

Johanna Konta splits with coach Thomas Hogstedt

The Swiss – who crashed out at the quarter-finals stage in New York – is nearly 2000 points behind the world No. 1 with just four events left that he was planning to play.

After his defeat to Juan Martin del Potro at Flushing Meadows, he insisted his schedule was set, saying: ‘Now I have Laver Cup, Shanghai, Basel, Paris and London. That’s my schedule, and it won’t change.’

ATP top-five rankings and points 1. Nadal – 9465

2. Federer – 7505

3. Murray – 6790

4. Zverev – 4310

5. Cilic – 4155

However, the 36-year-old has now cast doubt on those plans, with Paris potentially set to become a casualty.




‘Next weeks will be extremely important with Shanghai, Basel, maybe Paris and ATP Finals in London,’ he told Blick.

‘My goal is to get to Shanghai early, maybe on Friday. Basel will take priority over Bercy.’

Federer schedule 8 Oct – Shanghai Masters

23 Oct – Basel

30 Oct – Paris Masters

11 Nov – ATP Finals

Federer’s motivation to skip Paris is likely to be largely due to Nadal’s extended rankings lead.

The Masters 1000 event offers more ranking points than Basel – although the draw to return to Switzerland is always great for the world No. 2 – and should the gap for top spot be tighter, he would perhaps be less likely to skip it.

And Federer admitted the chase for world No. 1 has become a ‘secondary’ goal as he focuses on his own fitness, particularly in light of the back injury that hampered him in Montreal and forced him to skip Cincinnati.

Federer is chasing Nadal at the top of the rankings (Picture: Getty)

‘It [the year-end world No. 1 ranking] became a little bit secondary for me as Nadal got far away,’ he added.

‘I will focus on myself and I will play only when I am ready.

‘Back was really doing bad after Montreal and there was a little problem after another.

‘After the last match played in New York I felt really happy to take a break. Now I am doing well.’

MORE: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal open up on future of ‘Fedal’ doubles partnership after Laver Cup success