With shorter schedule, "relaxed" Roger Federer sees events differently

WATCH: Roger Federer after his round-robin loss to Kei Nishikori at the ATP Finals:

Roger Federer could consider taking a more laid-back approach to competition following his strong performance at the Paris Masters, but says that has to be balanced with his competitive goals.

Federer, who won his hometown tournament in Basel despite some shaky performances, appeared to round into form the following week in Paris, where he played a tight, high-quality three-setter against Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. The wold No. 3 did not decide to play Bercy until the day the tournament began, and said he was largely playing as a warmup for the ATP Finals in London.

During an interview with *Tages Anzeiger*, Federer acknowledged that approach could have helped him on court.

"Yes, maybe I should talk like that more often," said Federer, adding that a player his age should not be called a favorite at tournaments.

"That [the favorite] must be someone in their prime. But when you play as little as I do, it's not so simple to just be loose. You don't want to be eliminated as you start, at the beginning you play to avoid defeat rather than to win."

But Paris was different, and so was his mentality.

"I was more relaxed in Paris-Bercy," he said. "I would also have been willing to withdraw, if the body did not feel good, to avoid risks for London."

Following an opening round-robin defeat to Kei Nishikori in London, Federer denied that it had been a problem at his other events.

"I don't think I'm playing worse because of it. I didn't feel like playing less was a problem, if that's what it was. I didn't feel I played less," he told press, noting that most of his schedule reduction has been in the first half of the season, and he has also been under high expectations for most of his career.

Federer fell to Kei Nishikori in straight sets in an error-filled performance, but will play two more group matches in the round robin. He is the second seed at the ATP Finals.

This Week on Tennis Channel:

ATP Finals (Sun - Sun 11.11 - 11.18) - Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and the world's best collide in the season Finale. Live coverage begins on Tennis Channel Sunday at 7:00am EST.