Roger Federer insists he is fighting fit heading into a deserved close-season break after ending a troubled 2008 with a 6-4 6-4 victory against American James Blake in an exhibition match in Macau on Thursday.
Against world No.10 Blake, Federer looked free from the well-publicised back problems which have plagued the world No.2 over the last few weeks as he wrapped up the relaxed win in 72 minutes.
After losing to Andy Murray at the end-of-season Masters Cup last week Federer said his back injury would have stopped him playing a semi-final less than 24 hours later, but after downing Blake with a single break of serve in each set he was in a positive mood.
"I've been feeling better and better even though I felt sick again at the start of the week. I have felt like my body has been recovering since my last match against Murray," said the 27-year-old.
"I was feeling well today, which is a positive sign. I think it was the first time I really didn't think about my back and that is a good thing."
Federer pulled out of the Paris Masters with the injury, while it contributed to his early exit from the Masters Cup.
The US Open champion heads into his short break without his No.1 crown for the first time since the end of 2003, but with the new season beginning for him at the start of the year with an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, Federer is ready to hit the ground running.
Federer will then remain in the Middle East to play in Doha before heading to Melbourne as he bids to regain the Australian Open crown which is currently held by Serbian Novak Djokovic, the man who is breathing down his neck in the world rankings after winning the Masters Cup.
"You don't have a month to feel your way in at the start of the season, you will be judged at the end of January," added the three-time Australian Open champion.
"Some people make stupid predictions that your season won't be good if you don't win the Australian Open. But I have a good history in Melbourne, I have reached the semi-finals the last four or five times in a row. I am very consistent out there."