2004 Nov 01 - Rusedski in top 50

Greg Rusedski has climbed back into the world to 50 as a result of some great performances this year including victory in Newport (USA), semi-finals in St Petersburg (Russia) and quarter-finals in Los Angeles (USA), Delray Beach (USA) and Moscow (Russia).

The British No.2 is confident of climbing further up the rankings. Greg said:

"I want to go higher and be back to where I was in 1997, '98 and '99.

"I know all the people who have been in my situation and some have gone to the top of the game."

"Why shouldn't I be able to do that?"

The first quarter of 2004 is arguably the worst of Greg's career as the fought to clear his name over the nandrolone doping charges brought against him by the ATP. Some said this could bring an early end to Greg's career and his ranking plummeted outside the top 100 meaning he would have to qualify for tournament he was usually ore-qualified for.

Greg added:

"I had three months to get myself back up there or you're probably not going to come back.

"I just look back on my season as a year where I've had to prove myself. I've had to fight all the way through to the end.

"First it was to clear my name and to prove my innocence, then I had to fight to get my ranking back.

"I got myself back in the top 50. Now I want to get back into the top 20 or higher."