Roger Federer: This Rafael Nadal win proved Swiss would become world No 1 again – Fleming

Federer will return to the top of world tennis if he beats Robin Haase in the quarter-final of the Rotterdam Open this evening.

The Swiss legend has not been No 1 since 2012 and will become the oldest man to do so at the age of 36.

Federer has won three of the last four Grand Slams he has entered and landed his 20th career slam by winning the Australian Open last month.

Fleming believes Federer’s rise back to the top of the game has been monumental.

And he claims the victory over Rafael Nadal in the 2017 Australian Open final, his first Grand Slam win since 2012, was the starting point to him becoming world No 1 again.

“It’s incredible when you think about it,” Fleming said of Roger Federer on Sky Sports.

“November 2012 was the last time he was world No 1. 

“I think there were a lot of people, including maybe a couple in this room, who thought that perhaps his days at the top were over. 

“Certainly when he had that back injury, it appeared as though his skills were starting to wane. 

“As you say, last January when he won the Australian Open in that epic final against Rafael Nadal, he reclaimed his spot, well very near, the top of the game.”