Roger Federer has insisted that his shock exit from the Australian Open was not down to fatigue due to end-of-season commitments.
The world number two took part in Switzerland's Davis Cup win at the end of last year before jetting off to participate in the inaugural International Premier Tennis League.
However, despite losing 6-4 7-6 4-6 7-6 against Andreas Seppi in the third round of the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne, Federer insists that his hectic end to the last campaign did not play a part.
"I wanted to go to India," he told reporters. "I wanted to go back to Switzerland for Christmas. I practised as hard as I possibly could. Can't do more than that. Sure, the year ended late, but one week later than normal. At the end of the day, honestly I'm confident that what I did was the right thing.
"I was actually very happy that it was the way it went, because it allowed me to stay within the rhythm and take the break after the Australian Open. I still believe I'd still be in the tournament, that I'd still have a chance to go very deep. Like I said at the very beginning of the tournament, I truly believe that.
"But then again, margins are small, and sometimes these things tend to happen. Clearly I'll have a look at it, but I don't think I did anything wrong honestly."
The defeat signalled Federer's earliest exit from the tournament in 14 years.
Daniel Lewis
