This past year has not been the best for the man who sustained his world No.1 status for a record 237 weeks.

Roger Federer slipped to second in the ATP world rankings in August, after a number of successive defeats throughout the year to arch-rival Rafael Nadal. Now, his position in second place is also being threatened.

With Novak Djokovic winning the Masters Cup in Shanghai, and Federer failing even to make the semi-finals, Djokovic now sits a mere 10 points behind Federer.

Anyone who follows tennis will know that Federer started off the year with glandular fever and never really had the time to recover.

So with the Australian Open starting a week later in January to allow the players more time to rest, will the Swiss master get back on form in the coming year?

Or will Djokovic retain his title in Melbourne to overtake the once undisputed world No.1 and take second place in the rankings?