Federer says winning Wimbledon more important than top rank

Swiss tennis star Roger Federer says winning Wimbledon is more important to him than regaining his No 1 ranking.

Federer has told reporters Monday "Wimbledon is something special. There is no substitute for it." He was speaking on the eve of an exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur, billed as the "Showdown of Champions."

Others playing Tuesday night are James Blake, ranked tenth, and two former Wimbledon champions, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg. The quartet will play two singles matches and one doubles.

Federer is currently ranked No. 2 behind Spain's Rafael Nadal, after spending a record 237 consecutive weeks at the top. He lost to fourth-ranked Andy Murray in the Masters Cup in Shanghai on Friday, hampered by a sore back.

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