History looms for Federer

Roger Federer will target a return to the top of the rankings as the Rotterdam World Tennis tournament starts on Monday, with the Swiss aiming to become the oldest number one player in history.

The test begins at the Ahoy stadium when the 36-year-old returns to the Dutch port city for the first time since 2013.

Top seed Federer starts in the first round against a qualifier in an event he has won twice before, lifting the trophy in 2005 and 2012. Should he reach the semifinals, Federer would pass Rafael Nadal to take over the world's top ranking.

The Swiss would surpass Andre Agassi, who held the top spot in 2003 aged 33 years and 131 days.