Roger Federer said to join French Open with eye on Wimbledon
TORONTO — Roger Federer’s decision to make his long-awaited Grand Slam return on his least favorite surface at next month’s French Open is part of a grand plan to peak in time for his beloved Wimbledon, according to ESPN commentator Patrick McEnroe.
Federer, who’s due to injury or schedule preference has not competed on the claycourts at Roland Garros in four of the last five years, returned to competition last month after sitting out more than a year following two knee operations.
“He wouldn’t be showing up to play if he didn’t think he could play well,” former player McEnroe told Reuters in a telephone interview. “But I don’t think he is realistically going there thinking he could win the tournament.”
According to McEnroe, Federer just wants to get more matches under his belt and is more focused on both the grass court and hardcourt events ahead, particularly Wimbledon, where he has won a record eight times, and the US Open.
McEnroe, whose Holding Court podcast will begin a second season on Tuesday, said Federer, 39, may make a run in Paris but a potential clash with reigning champion Rafa Nadal or world number one Novak Djokovic could prove too much to handle.
“Even when Roger was at his highest level, he was the second best claycourt player in the world, which is saying something. I don’t think we can say that right now, especially coming off such a long layoff,” said McEnroe.
“But his expectations are certainly to go there and play well and make a little bit of a run.” —