Roger Federer considers French Open victory possible
Roger Federer's return on sand is eagerly awaited, but the Swiss do not want to put any pressure on themselves.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Feb 12, 2019, 09:08 am
For the first time since 2015, the Maestro will open again in Roland Garros. In 2016 he was missing after his knee injury, in 2017 and 2018 he took a break from the sand generally, with success.
So now the return in 2019, and the question is whether being there is really everything for someone like Federer - or whether he secretly dreams of the second title after his triumph in 2009.
In an interview with RTS (Radio Télévision Suisse) , Federer was asked if Paris could be won over. Federer hesitated for a long time ... followed by a "yes". But there has to be a lot of convergence, says the 37-year-old: "It takes a bit of luck, a good draw, I have to play my best tennis at the right moment, I have to get into the tournament well ... it's an enormous path." One advantage: "I don't want to say that I only play there for fun, but maybe with less pressure."
World leader no longer important for Federer
Federer sees an unrealistic return to world ranking position 1. "It is always possible, but you have to win two or three Grand Slam tournaments," said the current sixth in the world rankings. "I'm older now, I play fewer tournaments. If you lose early then it counts almost twice, so it's not a priority."
In the past, of course, the top of the world rankings helped him to get a good draw at the tournaments - but it was all the more frustrating after he was eliminated. "I would rather be listed below and then create a surprise," said Federer. "And I hope that will be the case this year."