Roger Federer plans to play eighteen tournaments in 2010.

If Federer competes in next week’s Paris Masters and then the ATP World Finals as planned, he will have played fifthteen tournaments in 2009, a relatively small number but understandable given his young family and the vast number of wins he has.

There are no big surprises to Federer’s plans for next year, he will be starting 2010 with the exhibition event in Abu Dhabi followed by Doha, tournaments which saw him beaten both times by Andy Murray earlier this year.

He will play just Dubai between the Australian Open and Indian Wells followed by Miami and three clay-court events before the French Open. For once Federer will not be returning to the picturesque surroundings of Monte Carlo, an event he has yet to win despite being a finalist many times. Instead he will begin the clay season in Estoril.

For the second half of the year it will just be the mandatory events plus Halle and Basel.
Federer was in cruise control yesterday in Basel, easing past Olivier Rochus 6-3, 6-4 despite some signs of rustiness early on.

Having won the title for the past three years, the Swiss feels right at home. "I was eager to come out and play again," he said. "It’s especially nice to come back on tour with my home tournament where I have so many memories."