Even for somebody who has won a record 20 grand slam titles, the prospect of Roger Federer triumphing at the French Open this year would stun many.
It was less than a month ago that the Swiss player return to competitive tennis on the clay after a 1090-day absence. In recent years he has chosen to skip this period of the tour due to either injury problems or wanting to rest his body ahead of his beloved Wimbledon. A tournament he has won more times than any other man in history.
Federer’s reasoning for returning back to the French Open for the first time since 2015 was that he didn’t want to miss the opportunity. To look back on his career and regret that he didn’t return to Roland Garros. The tournament where he made his debut in the main draw of a grand slam back in 1999.
“Once the decision was upon me again for this year, if I would have skipped the clay again, I think I would have felt like that’s not the right decision.” Federer explained during the Madrid Open. “I would have always felt regrets not being on the clay in 2019 because my knee problem is far enough away now.’
“It feels good to be back on the clay now and I enjoy it to be honest.”
So far in his clay-court return, the 37-year-old has won three out of five matches played on the dirt in 2019. In Madrid, Federer looked in good shape against both Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils, before losing in the quarter-finals in Dominic Thiem. The following week was more of a disappointment for the Swiss. In Rome, he reached the last eight of the tournament before being forced to withdraw due to a leg injury. A far from ideal situation for somebody preparing for a major.
“I’m fully recovered,” Federer commented about his leg issue earlier this week.
“I’m incredibly happy to be returning to Roland-Garros; I haven’t played the French Open in three years.”
“The audience’s expectations are high, but I’m trying to calm things down because I feel it’s going to be hard. But things went well for me in Rome and Madrid so I am really very satisfied.”
Nothing but blue skies and backhands with @rogerfederer 🎾#RG19 pic.twitter.com/HDjwQEOB6b
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 22, 2019
It could be argued that should Federer win in Paris, it would be one of the greatest achievements of his career. During an era where the French Open has been largely dominated by rival Rafael Nadal, Federer’s only triumph was a decade ago in 2008. He hasn’t featured in a final there since 2011.
Earlier this month, world No.4 Dominic Thiem warned against ‘underestimating’ Federer on the clay. Even if he has had a lengthy absence from the surface. During a brief discussion Ubitennis had with Thiem in Madrid, he said that he ‘guessed’ only Nadal was better than him. Something world No.1 Novak Djokovic would rightfully dispute.
Federer himself has dismissed the motion that his rivals are undervaluing him on the tour. This season he has already won titles in both Dubai and Miami. Belonging to a group of only five men to have won multiple titles so far in 2019.
“I guess players maybe know I don’t have that much clay-court tennis in me in the last few years, but that doesn’t make me less dangerous to be quite honest.”
As the second oldest player in the top 100, there was speculation that Federer’s return to the clay could be the start of his farewell tour. During his career, he has spent 310 weeks as world No.1 and claimed 101 titles on the ATP Tour. The second highest of all-time after Jimmy Connors record of 109.
“I do not think about a specific time. There is a lot of speculation on this subject, but that’s not true.” He commented about potential retirement during an interview with the Gerry Weber Open.
The French Open will get underway on Sunday. Federer will be seeded third in the draw and it will be his 18th main draw appearance in the tournament.
