Federer tries to end slump in this week’s Sony Open

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) — The best player in tennis has been awfully average this year.

Roger Federer is off to his worst start since 2000, when he was 18 and still three years from his first Grand Slam title. In three tournaments he has yet to reach a final, and he has lost three of his past six matches.

Not that anyone will be eager to face Federer at the Sony Ericsson Open, which begins today. He’s a two-time champion and top-seeded, and he’s sure to be highly motivated to jump-start his season.

But for the moment, the debate about whether Federer is the best player ever has given way to another question: Is his game in decline?

Health has been a factor. A stomach virus curtailed his preparation for the Australian Open, and he lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Novak Djokovic. Last month Federer was diagnosed with mononucleosis, and when he returned three weeks ago, he lost to Andy Murray in the opening round at Dubai.

But even after Federer pronounced himself fit at Indian Wells, his backhand lacked its usual snap, and his lethal forehand was too often wayward. He lost in the semifinals to No. 98-ranked Mardy Fish.

“In the locker room, we just kind of laugh at it,” Fish says. “We just kind of think it’s kind of a joke — you know: ‘Oh, my gosh, Roger hasn’t won a tournament yet this year.’ ... I think he’s going to continue to be No. 1 for a long time.”

Federer’s domination has been such that he’ll remain atop the rankings even if he loses his opening match at Key Biscayne. He has a first-round bye, then will play Saturday against the winner of the match between Gael Monfils and American John Isner.

Among the top men and women, only Maria Sharapova will be absent at Key Biscayne. Justine Henin is seeded No. 1 on the women’s side and is in the same half of the draw as Serena and Venus Williams. Serena beat Henin in last year’s final.

Three-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal is seeded No. 2 in the men’s draw, and defending champion Djokovic is third.

Djokovic, who won his first major title this year, is one reason the gap between Federer and other top players seems to be shrinking.

“There is more variety of players at the top, which is an encouraging thing for this sport,” Djokovic said. “Obviously a lot of people got a little bit bored, Federer and Nadal winning and being so dominant. It’s always good to see some new faces winning major events. I think the people like it.”