Tennis-Federer disappointed by year-end world ranking

By Mark Ledsom

BASEL, Switzerland, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Roger Federer was "disappointed but not surprised" at losing the year-end world number one spot to rival Rafael Nadal, he said on Saturday.

Federer was knocked off the top of the rankings by the Spaniard in August and got confirmation from the ATP after his semi-final defeat by Andy Murray at last week's Madrid Masters that he would end the year in second place.

The Swiss 13-time Grand Slam winner topped the year-end rankings from 2004 to 2007 during his record 237 consecutive weeks as world number one.

"I knew really that the chance (to regain top spot) wasn't there because it was basically up to Rafa to decide if he made it or not," Federer told reporters after Saturday's semi-final win over Feliciano Lopez at his hometown tournament.

"There was a bit of disappointment but I gave a good fight for almost five years so I'm proud of that, and I think Rafa deserves it this year because he's played consistently well.

"He's won in Grand Slams, Masters Series and won big titles on all surfaces. He still has the Davis Cup final to come and there's also the Masters Cup in Shanghai.

"If he can win there he will have won one of the big indoors so he's done a complete year."

The Swiss said he hoped to regain the number one spot from Nadal in 2009 but said that for now he was happy not to be worrying about ranking points.