'Time will tell' Federer's fate

Dubai: World number one Roger Federer declared that time would be the main factor in deciding whether he is the greatest tennis player of all time.

"I think I am on the right track at the moment. But only time will decide whether I am the greatest of all times," Federer told the media while attending the press conference to launch the Rolex sponsorship for the Dubai Tennis Championships yesterday.

Attending the press conference to seal the tie-up between the two were tournament director Salah Tahlak, Hind Seddiqi from Ahmad Seddiqi and Sons, Arnaud Boetsch, Rolex head of international sponsorship and women's top seed Justine Henin.

"It feels nice to be compared to a great player like Rod Laver. But I would prefer to wait and see how my career unfolds and see if I can match up with some of the legends of the sport," Federer said.

Back from Australia after his emphatic win at the Australian Open to record his 10th career Grand Slam title win, Federer has won in Dubai three times out of four appearances.

In Melbourne, he became the first man to win a Grand Slam title without dropping a set since the legendary Bjorn Borg at the 1980 French Open.

His only blemish in Dubai came in last year's final when he lost to Spanish sensation Rafael Nadal.

"I need to keep up all the hard work and I also need to enjoy what I am doing," Federer insisted.

The Swiss star finds milestones and records one of the motivating factors in his career. At the 15th running of the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open, Federer is on the verge of breaking Jimmy Connors' 25-year-old record of 160 consecutive weeks as world number one.

Very exciting

"That record looks very exciting and it will be a great day for me when it finally comes (today)," Federer smiled.

Federer is also gunning for the record of 15 Grand Slam titles currently standing in the name of Pete Sampras. "That too is within my sights. Records are important for the motivation and the will to do better with each match out there on court," the Swiss ace stated. "I need to achieve goals and make milestones for myself and for the game."

Federer was quite pleased with the growing pool of young talent coming through on the ATP Tour.

"My goal is to leave the game better off than what it is. The youngsters are coming through well and it is getting interesting out there every time you play against one of these young players," Federer admitted.