Tennis: Roger Federer could become oldest ever world No.1 in Rotterdam

Roger Federer won the Australian Open in January. Photo / AP

In January, Roger Federer set a new record for most singles Grand Slam titles, winning his 20th at the Australia Open.

However, there's a good chance he'll break another record in a few weeks' time after accepting a late wildcard entry into the ATP tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands, which is held from February 12-18.

A semifinal appearance at the tournament would see Federer, 36, become the oldest men's world No.1 in history, surpassing the mark set by Andre Agassi, who reached the top ranking in 2003 at 33.

🏆20. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WqUiSo3fd5

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) January 28, 2018

Current world No.1 Rafael Nadal would lose the top seeding for the moment should Federer reach the semifinals, with the Spaniard not set to compete again until late February, after the Rotterdam event.

Federer hasn't held the top ranking since October of 2012 and, despite picking and choosing which events he competes in these days, and will face tough competition in the event, including top-five stars Grigor Dimitrov and Alexander Zverev, along with countryman Stan Wawrinka.

Federer won the Rotterdam Open in 2005 and 2012.

"The tournament is special for me," Federer told the official website. "I remember playing for the first time in 1999 as it was one of the first events where I got the chance to play at the highest level."

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