SHANGHAI, Nov 8: Roger Federer on Saturday admitted he hated being described as the world number two and said he was desperate to win back the top ranking from Rafael Nadal.

Federer said being introduced as the world’s second best player was the worst thing about the end of his record four-and-a-half-year reign in August.

“It doesn’t change a whole lot, I just don’t like the ring of it when I’m being introduced on Centre Court saying, ‘and this is the number two in the world,’” he said.

“It just sounds wrong. Either I’m number one or I’m a Grand Slam champion, but I’m not number two.” The 27-year-old Swiss said he was using his anger at the “number two” tag as motivation to win back the top spot next year. “It just sounds a bit awkward for me because I’ve been up there for so, so long,” he said.

Two-time defending champion Federer can gain useful rankings points on Nadal at the Masters Cup, which starts on Sunday.

Spain’s Nadal, who is already assured of finishing the year as number one, is skipping the year-end showpiece citing fatigue and tendinitis. Federer has reached five finals in seven Masters Cup appearances, losing just three matches in total.—AFP