Federer 's absence from the ATP Tour meant he slipped outside the top 10 of the rankings for the first time since 2001 .
Federer says the time off could play to Federer 's advantage in the long run .
Federer 's absence from the ATP Tour meant he slipped outside the top 10 of the rankings for the first time since 2001 , but he says the time off could play to his advantage in the long run .