Roger Federer makes a comeback in Geneva: clay court tournaments in preparation for Wimbledon
Roger Federer is returning to the international tennis stage at the ATP 250 tournament in Geneva this week - but the maestro is not expecting too much on clay.
by SID / tennisnet
last edit: May 17, 2021, 05:37 pm
Grand Slam record champion Roger Federer sees the French Open as a preparation for his big goal Wimbledon this year. "Expectations on clay are limited. It's strange to use the French Open as preparation for grass, but that's the way it is now," said the 39-year-old Swiss, who is making his comeback at the ATP tournament in Geneva this week gives.
In March, the 20-time major winner returned to the tour after two knee operations and a break of more than a year in Doha / Qatar, but then retired from training. "I haven't suffered any setbacks since then," said Federer, adding that he had increased his strength, endurance and agility. Due to the lack of match practice, his form is difficult to assess with a view to Roland Garros from May 30th.
Federer is aiming for the lawn season
"I would like to say that Paris is the ultimate destination. But I'm not quite ready for that. It would also be presumptuous to say that anything is possible for me there after such a long time. That is not the case," said Federer: "But grass is different, so of course I hope to be able to achieve big goals as we know it."
At Wimbledon, the record winner is fighting for his ninth title on the sacred turf. He subordinates everything to this goal: "If I can win a few matches on clay, here in Geneva and then in Paris, I would be happy. My goals are very manageable. Expectations are much higher on grass, everything is much more important. "
Federer in Geneva at the start against Andujar
But even exceptional talent Federer knows that a changing of the guard is not too far away in men's tennis: "The next generation with Zverev, Rublev, Tsitsipas, Medvedev and Thiem is getting better and better. It will be a great challenge for me to reach a level to to keep up. "
The world number one wants to keep up this week at the ATP 250 event in Geneva. Federer will play his first match against Pablo Andujar. He is convinced that the performance at his home tournament will do him good, says the Swiss: "If I am healthy and can play, it will help my self-confidence. Then I think I will be among the best again."