For Federer it all starts on the Sand again from the beginning

If Roger Federer takes the beginning of may in Madrid, the sandy season in attack, is his last racing on this surface almost exactly three years. Since the Italian Open in 2016, where he lost in the second appearance of Dominic Thiem, he avoided tournaments, all of the Sand, the French Open, he played for the last time in 2015.

After his fourth tournament victory at the Miami Open (2005/06/17), his first in the Masters series for the last 18 months (Shanghai, 2017), was because of his imminent return to the Sand, also already a big issue. But although he is the first two-time winner of the tournament in 2019, and the new Leader of the year standings, is looking forward to the world rank list fourth these tournaments to be very careful.

"I'm not very confident in this clay season, I can tell you that", surprised Federer a question, the speculated, his self-confidence must now be on the Sand huge. "I don't even know properly, how to slip on the Sand, and me slowly again."

His last full clay season, denied the five-time French Open Finalist four years ago. In 2016, he stepped down after his knee surgery in Monaco and Rome. "In 2017, I played two days on the Sand, last year I hit on no Ball. I don't know what to expect. I start again from the beginning, I must work it all out."

Only 2 titles since 2009

Where the clay season lead in addition to Madrid and Paris still remains unclear; most likely, he might ride after the Spanish, the Italian Masters tournament in Rome. To expect Federer walks ambitionslos in these tournaments, but it would be wrong. "I never had to go relaxed in the sand season. I'm looking forward to it and think of it as a challenge, as a good Test."

He's taking some days of recovery, before he devotes himself and his Team preparing. The opposite might come to him that the game conditions at the time of his return in the lightweight altitude of Madrid are faster than at sea level. In the Caja mágica, he repeated in 2012, one of his two sand title since the French Open in 2009 (in addition to Istanbul, 2015), where the Sand was, for once, blue. "In Madrid I will see what happens. The goal is to be in Paris, ready to. And I hope that the work will pay off on grass and hard courts."

The unexpected victory in the Florida tournaments will take him more pressure in front of the Sand, believes Federer. "Like I played in Miami, and me moving, makes me believe that I should be physically ready. We will see how my body will react." Although Federer was unable to defend his Australian Open title, his Match record with 18:2 now even better than last year at the same time. At the time, he was started with 17 Victories to the year, but lost in Indian Wells in the Final (Del Potro) and in Miami (Kokkinakis) two games in a row. Of the ATP points of his last year's start to the season, however, was better (2280 compared to 3110 points). Then he had paused, then but eleven weeks, at the next tournament in Stuttgart, the Hand hurt, and the season with a slightly disappointing 48:10-balance sheet completed.

track: All tracks of the Roger Federer

This year, as he was after the final defeat in Indian Wells (against Thiem) less disappointed than 2018, as he had awarded against Del Potro three match points, said Federer on Sunday evening. "It had cost me some self-confidence." At the Miami Open he was standing now in the start of the game against Radu Albot close to defeat, had been but after that, very clearly, what relates to his style of play. Against John Isner had succeeded then 6:1, 6:4, the best game of the tournament. "It makes me happy to have in the Final such performance is demonstrated, because you're always working."

Video: Federer wins his 101. Tournament The Swiss victory in the final of Miami against John Isner. (Video: SRF)

"Treacherous Situation"

That the title of defender of the increasing pain in her left foot suffered, he had tried to displace. "I noticed that he took a painkiller and in the last Game his serve was slower. I thought, this looks good for him, but such situations are tricky. Because suddenly he could be back in top shape." After 1460 matches on the professional tour, Federer no longer can surprise you.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 01.04.2019, 21:08 PM