Tennis world number one Roger Federer [Images] said on Monday he plans to stay in the game for years to come.

"My goal is to play for as long as possible, possibly until I am 35," the 26-year-old Swiss told reporters after winning the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award for a record fourth year in a row.

Federer, who has won 12 Grand Slam titles, said his aim is also to surpass Pete Sampras's record of 14.

"It's definitely on my mind now," he said.

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"Actually when I was playing Pete in an exhibition [late last year] we were joking about it. I was hoping to break his record this year but it looks a tough task now after losing the Australian Open.

"I think it would be a good result for me if I tie it this year."

Federer said he was hugely disappointed following his semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic in Melbourne last month.

"The first moment it hits you hard. You are really disappointed," he said.

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"Then the next day when you wake up, you feel a bit better if you think that you had given your all.

"But I feel refreshed and relaxed now as I haven't been practising at all," he added. "It's been a two-week vacation but I'll start working out again shortly to get ready for the Dubai Open in early March.

"So these two weeks have been a good break for me because I'll be busy pretty much until the US Open."

FRENCH OPEN

Federer said winning the French Open is his other big goal.

"Obviously, it's a big goal for me. I hope it's not the one that will elude me," he said.

"I've heard people say that this year is probably my last chance, but I totally disagree. I think I have a few more years ahead of me if I can't do it this year."

Asked to name his main rivals, the world number one said: "Well, obviously two guys stand out, Djokovic and Nadal. But I rate Rafael Nadal [Images] as my biggest rival."

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The Swiss also gave his backing to world number four Nikolay Davydenko, who is being investigated for his involvement into match-fixing -- a charge the Russian has always denied.

"It's pure speculation, it's not a fact," Federer said when asked to comment on the problem.

"He [Davydenko] is not guilty. He should be left in peace if he is not found guilty. Honestly, I am not too worried about it [gambling in tennis]."

Federer said it is unlikely he would play in the St Petersburg [Images] Open for as long as it clashed with another ATP event in his home town of Basel.

"If they could schedule the St Petersburg Open at another date I definitely will consider it or maybe I could play Marat Safin [Images] in an exhibition here," he said.

"We've had some great battles in the past, so I think it would be fun playing him here."

(Reuters)