The Swiss stylist had a sterling year in 2009 in which he finally broke through at the French Open, secured his sixth Wimbledon title and reclaimed the No. 1 ranking from a physically impaired Rafael Nadal.

In truth, Federer was breathtakingly close to having one of the greatest seasons ever. Closer inspection reveals he just narrowly missed out on achieving the Holy Grail of tennis accomplishments, the Grand Slam. Only a heartbreaking 5-set loss in Australia to Nadal and an equally dispiriting 5-set defeat at the U.S. Open prevented "Fed" from turning the trick that only icon Rod Laver had managed. He was that close to immortality.

But despite those painful setbacks, 2009 saw Federer stamp himself as perhaps the greatest player ever when he surpassed Pete Sampras with his 15th Grand Slam championship. All in all, it was one hell of a ride.

Yet now, the question looms larger than an oversized racket. Can Federer possibly maintain his grip as the world's best or will his inevitable fall from the summit take place in short order?

Remember, that at age 28, Federer is no longer a young Turk. Though by no means ancient, he is getting ready to leave his prime, not enter it.

Furthermore, Federer has also undergone some life-changing experiences with his relatively recent marriage and the birth of his twin daughters. Lesser things have caused others to slip if not lose their edge.

But the single most compelling factor that may spell a Federer decline is that the competition is closing in on him. Others are rapidly gaining ground. Though Roger is still the king, there is a sense that his aura of domination has been compromised, if not punctured.

It is quite obvious that the caliber of his current challengers is stellar and undeniable. It will take a minor miracle for Federer to hold them off. It just seems that the inexorable pressure these rivals will exert will inevitably wear him down. It's probably only a matter of time before Federer yields the center stage. In this case, uneasy is the head who wears the crown.

The list of Federer's main rivals is an impressive one, to say the least.

There's the competitor extraordinaire "Rafa" Nadal, a six-time Slam winner who appears healthy again and has bested Roger on 13 occasions.

Scotsman Andy Murray, armed with an ever evolving game is on the verge of making a huge impact. He also owns a winning record ( 6-4 ) versus Federer.

Serbian standout Novak Djokovic is a tough draw for anyone and he was arguably the most consistent performer on last year's ATP circuit. Djokovic can serve and pound and when he's on, he's virtually unbeatable.

Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro might be the game's next star. Tall, ranging and strong off both hands, Del Potro is really on the come. His takedown of Federer at the U.S. Open may have been a precursor of things to come.

Then there are dangerous foes like Nikolay Davydenko and Robin Soderling who have recently gotten the better of the Swiss master. And it would be foolhardy for Federer to overlook rejuvenated American Andy Roddick.

Put them all together and it probably spells a world of trouble for Federer. Remaining at the pinnacle of his sport will be as stern a test as perhaps Federer has ever faced. The wolves are definitely nipping at his heels.

Though he's still the standard by which all others are measured, Federer has shown more vulnerability in the last couple of years. There have been more early-round exits, on-the-court meltdowns and spasms of erratic play. His backhand has periodically deserted him and even his vaunted forehand has disappeared on occasion.

Though his generally unflappable demeanor doesn't show it, the wear and tear of being the prime target over an extended period of time could be getting to him. The weight of the incredible expectations that he has created might be taking their toll. Federer could be ripe to finally move over and cede his fiefdom.

Yet, Federer proclaims he still has a zest for the game. "Fed" also says he's far from burned-out and looks forward to adding to his legacy. Far from shrinking from the challenge presented by his formidable rivals, Federer states he's ready to embrace it. But "Fed" might be well advised to be careful for what you wish.

The upcoming Australian Open will, most likely, provide an indication as to what direction Federer is heading. Can he reach, at the minimum, his 22nd consecutive Slam semi-final or will he continue with the rather indifferent results he's shown since the U.S. Open.

There's no doubt that Federer still has plenty of game. "Fed" is far from dead. But the lingering question remains. Does he stay at the mountaintop or is Roger due for a steady if not drastic fall?