20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer is hoping his decision to return to the clay this year will help set him up for the rest of the season.
The 37-year-old Swiss Maestro is set to play his first match on the European dirt since 2016 in May. In recent years Federer has opted to miss the clay swing due to either injury or wanting time off to rest his body. His last competitive match on the surface was against Dominic Thiem at the 2016 Italian Open, which he lost in straight sets. The two players also recently clashed in the final of Indian Wells, which Thiem also won.
“It was a very interesting conversation I had with the team.” Federer told The Tennis Channel about his return to the clay. “I asked them ‘what do you think about the clay? Should I or Shouldn’t I do it?’ and they were like ‘if you’re happy to play tennis, that’s a good thing because at your age if could be I don’t want to play clay or tennis.’”
Describing his upcoming return as ‘exciting,’ the former world No.1 isn’t getting too carried away about his chances of winning trophies on the surface. Federer has won 11 titles on the clay so far in his career, including the 2009 French Open. His most recent triumph occurred at the Istanbul Open in 2015.
“Missing out on two full clay seasons and three French Open is not something I thought I was ever going to do.” Federer reflected.
“This year I didn’t want to have three months off and I am excited to play on the clay again. To see if it would help me for Wimbledon and the rest of the season.” He added.
The comeback is set to begin at the Madrid Open, which will start on May 5th. Hosted at the Caja Magica, the high altitude makes the ball move faster than some other clay tournaments such as Rome. Federer hasn’t won the Madrid title since 2012 and last participated in 2015.
“I use to play on the clay, we will see what happens in the future.” He concluded.
At present, Federer’s immediate focus is on the Miami Open this week. On Monday he scored a 7-5, 6-3, win over Serbia’s Filip Krajinović to move into the fourth round. His next opponent will be Daniil Medvedev, who he defeated twice last year.
“I played him twice last year in a tough match in Shanghai and one where he was very tired in Basel, that one I don’t count.” The Swiss said of Medvedev. “Honestly he was very tired, he finished super late and everything and he’d played a lot of tennis.”
Federer is bidding to win his fourth Miami Open title this year and his 101st overall.
