‘Smart move by Federer to skip clay play’

ROGER FEDERER made a smart decision by pulling out of this month’s French Open, where he has less chance of adding to his 18 grand slam titles than on the sport’s quicker surfaces, world number two Novak Djokovic said on Thursday.

Federer, who announced his withdrawal from the May 28-June 11 claycourt major on Monday, said he felt he needed to avoid playing on clay this season to help prolong his career.

“You know, he’s very smart in his decision-making... He knows what he’s doing,” 12-time major winner Djokovic, told reporters.

“Of course he’s aware he has a much better chance to win big trophies on quicker surfaces.”

Federer defied age and logic to win the Australian Open in January after a knee injury kept him out of tennis for six months, and followed that up with two more high-profile titles at Indian Wells and Miami.

The 35-year-old, fifth-ranked Swiss is now focused on being in top form for Wimbledon, which begins on July 3 and where he is a seven-time champion.

“Grass obviously is where he feels the most comfortable,” Djokovic said.

“I’m not too surprised with this (French Open) decision. I mean, he had a lot of matches played at the beginning of the year, and he did amazingly well.”

Djokovic faces Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the last-16 of the Italian Open today.

World number one Andy Murray will be ready for Roland Garros despite his poor recent form, ninetime French Open champion Rafa Nadal has said.

Nadal has won all three clay competitions this season while Murray struggled in Madrid and Monte Carlo and lost out in the semi-finals in Barcelona.

Since the start of the year, Murray has won just one of seven tournaments but Nadal is confident the Briton will be prepared for the French Open, which starts at the end of the month.

“He’s a great player, unbelievable player,” said.

“He will be ready for Roland Garros. He has one week and a half to practise, and he will be one of the candidates (for the title).”

Former world No 1 Nadal also said that being at the top had no impact on a player’s performance but tiredness could play a role. “I don’t think being No 1 affects on play... I don’t see a reason why. But at the same time, it’s so difficult to be on the top of your game and mentality every week,” Nadal said.

l Venus Williams powered into the Italian Open quarter-finals yesterday with a dominant 6-1 3-6 6-1 victory over fifth-seeded Briton Johanna Konta.

Estonian qualifier Anett Kontaveit, who defeated world No 1 Angelique Kerber on Wednesday, continued to build momentum with a 6-1 6-1 victory over 16th-seeded Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. – Reuters