World number one Roger Federer has dismissed suggestions his career is in decline after a recent slump in form.

The Swiss star was beaten in the first round of last week's Dubai Championships by Britain's Andy Murray.

That defeat was Federer's first match since losing to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals in January.

Federer said: "In Switzerland there is a little too much speculation my career is over. But I am happy and healthy, not miserable and down and out."

26-year-old Federer fell ill after his shock loss in Melbourne and was diagnosed with mononucleosis, a virus causing fevers, sore throat and swollen lymph glands.

He has since been given the all-clear to play and faces an exhibition match against former number one Pete Sampras in New York on Monday before competing at the Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells, California later this week.

He is within two Grand Slam titles of Sampras's record haul of 14, and insisted that he would use his recent defeats as motivation to complete the feat.

"Honestly, losses like this motivate me more than anything," he added.

"Trying to come back, trying to prove I'm still the one to beat. I just want to show I can do it over and over again.

"I love competing on centre courts all over the world. So many people are happy when I get there. It touches me. I love to practice more and more now," he said.

"What I enjoy most are the matches, the pressure, the fans, centre court. I hope that's going to stay with me as long as possible."

Sampras also played down suggestions that Federer's dominance was on the wane.

"In a lot of ways Roger has created this sort of monster of being unbeatable," said the 36-year-old American.

"If you lose a match here, lose a match there, people have the assumption he has lost his edge, lost his dominance. I don't look at it like that at all.

"He'll play Indian Wells and he'll play Miami (in two weeks) and do fine at those events. When it comes down to it at the big, big events, I think he'll be the guy standing with the trophy."

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