Roger Federer may deny that his career is on a downward swing, but the latest ranking points suggest the Swiss is closest to losing his no.1 place since he took over at the top of the charts in February 2004.
And as has been the trend, it's Spaniard Rafael Nadal who's pushing Federer.
According to the official ATP website, Federer now holds a meagre 350-point lead over Nadal.
'After Federer's first round exit in Dubai and Nadal's quarterfinal effort, the Swiss No. 1 will hold a 350-point lead over the Spaniard (6,330-5,980) as of Monday. This is the closest margin since May 10, 2004 when Federer led No. 2 Andy Roddick by that same figure,' it says
'Federer has ranked a record 215 consecutive weeks at No. 1 since Feb. 2, 2004 while Nadal has been No. 2 a record 138 straight weeks (since July 25, 2005).
'The No. 1 ranking can't change hands at the first ATP Masters Series tournament of the season, the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, since Nadal is defending title points (500) while Federer lost in the opening round (5). But depending on the results of both players in Indian Wells, then the No. 1 position could be up for grabs going into Miami. Nadal has quarterfinal points to defend (125) while Federer has fourth round points coming off (75).'
Federer and Nadal have had a barren year so far, while their closest rival Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open and had a semi-final in Dubai to show.
'Although Djokovic is still more than 1,000 points away from Federer, the 20-year-old Serb has cut into the lead since the end of last season. He opened the campaign with his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
'Djokovic trailed Federer by 2,710 points in the 2007 year-end South African Airways ATP Rankings and he enters Indian Wells 1,200 points behind. Djokovic is defending runner-up points (350) in Indian Wells and champion's points in Miami (500).'
Federer, who has a bye into the second round at Indian Wells, takes on Argentina's Sergio Roitman or Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain in his opening match. Last year, he lost at the same stage 6-3 4-6 6-0 to Argentina's Guillermo Canas.
Rafael Nadal has been seeded second with Djokovic third and Russian Nikolay Davydenko fourth.
Photograph: Getty Images
