Roger Federer: ´The threats? I was distracted. I thank the authorities ´for their support.´

Roger Federer is back in Shanghai after he lost in the final against Andy Murray in 2010 and admits: "I hope to finish the year as the world number 1. At this time, however, my goal is to do well here in Shanghai. For me, if it were so important to be at the top of the rankings at the end of the year, I would have gone to Tokyo or Beijing. This year I have managed to win a medal at the Olympics and Wimbledon, so I'm at peace with myself and happy. I am always very careful to try to reduce injury and this also helps me to stay hungry for victories. I'm here and I will try to give everything, then we'll see how it goes."

He is also convinced that Andy Murray has what it takes in 2013 to get to the No.1 spot in the rankings:

"He can do it, maybe even at the end of 2012 or maybe at the very beginning of next season. His coming months will be very interesting because he can do well. His reaction after the defeat in the final at Wimbledon was amazing, as he went on to win the Olympic gold, then struggled in Toronto and Cincinnati, and finally triumphed in New York. I'm really impressed and I hope that this will be the starting point for him."

He then moved on to the news that has dominated the tournament during the last few days about the death threats he received on a Chinese website:

 "Obviously it's something that has caused me a little distraction, no doubt. But we must be aware of what is happening around us. I think it was only a sporadic episode in a forum where there were people arguing with each other, nothing clear and concrete. I'm sorry that all the talk has been about it and that we had to speak about it at the beginning of such an important tournament. I was aware about it 10 days before the news was published. Anyway, I do not want to discuss it again, I feel very safe here, the authorities were fantastic and have supported me a lot and I feel comfortable since I have arrived in China."