Abu Dhabi : Stanislas Wawrinka said he had set a target of a top 15 world ranking when the year ends in 2010.
Wawrinka, the Swiss player who fell 7-6(4), 7-6(2) to Sweden's Robin Soderling in his debut match here at the Capitala World Tennis Championship on Thursday, said, "It was a close match and I am happy with my performance.
"I think it is a good start, playing in this star-studded event and my target is to finish in the top 15 in the world rankings.
"In an event like this, when you lose, you can look at the positive side and I am happy with the way I played," said Wawrinka, who won the Olympic Games gold medal while partnering the great Roger Federer.
Wawrinka finished in the top 25 for the second successive year and one of his feats was a win over Federer, after which he went on to make the last four in Monte Carlo.
"I will be here for another two days and then leave for India to play in the Chennai Open," said Wawrinka, who dropped out of school at 15 to concentrate on his tennis.
In 2003 he won the junior title at Roland Garros and has since been a consistent performer.
Impressed by the facilities here, Wawrinka said, "It is very nice here though I am disappointed I did not win. The tournament is great, the hotel is good and the overall organisation is great."
Reiterating his goal for 2010, Wawrinka said, "I will try to come back to top 15 and maybe try and do something in the Grand Slam. But I am focussed to get back to the top 15."