Roger Federer on winning another slam: “It is a dream for me to achieve it this year. I will chase it as hard as possible”

Roger Federer, winner of a record 16 grand slam singles titles, still wants more.

The former number one begins play at the Madrid Open this week after more than a month off from the game.

“I am excited to be back after a long off-season, but I needed it after playing so, so much,” Federer told reporters Sunday. ”I have put myself in a good position if I do win a Grand Slam for the world number one.”

”I know how hard it is to win (a major championship),” he added. “But it is a dream for me to achieve it this year. I will chase it as hard as possible.”

Federer, currently ranked third behind Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, has won three titles so far this season but his last grand slam triumph was at the 2010 Australian Open. He made it to the finals of the French Open last year (beating Djokovic but losing to Nadal) then lost to Djokovic in the semifinals of last year’s US Open after holding two match points.