Two-time US Open champion Tracy Austin has advised World No. 1 Roger Federer to skip the French Open in order to keep himself fresh for an assault on Wimbledon and the US Open.
Austin, a former World No. 1, is against Federer’s participation in the only Grand Slam on clay, because she believes it is a strategy that perfectly fits the Swiss maestro. As the red dirt is Federer’s least favorite surface, skipping Roland Garros will keep him energized and physically and mentally fit. This would indeed help him in winning the next two Majors — The Championships at Wimbledon and the United States Open in New York.
Federer didn’t take part in the entire European clay-court season last year as he did not want to take any chance ahead of his main career goal of the year, which was to win Wimbledon for a record eighth time. And he did win it eventually, without even dropping a set as he looked in magnificent touch and played splendid tennis throughout the tournament.
When asked if Roger should miss the French Open or not, Austin told Tennis Channel: “I say yes. That’s hard to say because we all want to see him at the French Open but I think because he is 36-and-a-half years old and clay is the toughest surface on your body, long matches.
“It’s not just the French Open, he said if he has to play the French Open, he’s got to prepare by playing Rome and Madrid.
“So now you are talking six, seven weeks of travelling.
“He won’t be as fresh physically, he won’t be as fresh mentally.
“Would he love to get Wimbledon number nine and possibly another US Open as well?
“I think if he skips it, it gives him a better chance to win both of those.”
