UPDATE: The news of Roger Federer playing in the Rome and Madrid Masters, broken by Eurosport appear to be untrue. A trusted reporter has confirmed that Federer will, in fact, not be playing in the Masters events. But he will probably still play at the 2020 Roland Garros.
Roger Federer is competing again this year during the clay season. In the build up to Roland Garros, Roger will play in the big events leading to the Major. The clay season is still some ways off yet though.
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The Rome Masters have now announced that Roger Federer will indeed play at the event. The 38-year old will also play in the Madrid Masters event. Both are ATP 1000 events, and will take place later this year, in May.
Roger Federer to play on clay
Federer skipped the clay season, Roland Garros included, in 2017 and 2018. He did this to preserve his energy for Wimbledon, especially given that it is difficult to transit from clay to grass in a short time. Perhaps even part of him knew Rafael Nadal would not concede the French Major’s trophy.
Last year though, Roger did play the clay season. Many feared at the time that he was about to call it quits and was simply completing the Tour one last time. Of course, nothing of the sort happened and Federer continues to play, as he should.
This is exciting news to know Roger will be there, competing against clay specialists like Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Fabio Fognini. Maybe he even hopes to disrupt Nadal enough in the Roland Garros to put him off from equaling his No. 20.
It doesn’t matter really. What does matter is that we get to see Roger on dirt again this year.
there were fears around his physical fitness during and after the 2020 Australian Open. The World No. 3 struggled with a groin injury scare when he faced American Tennys Sandgren in the quarter finals.
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Sandgren played well and pushed Roger to the very brink of defeat. But ultimately Federer won the match 6-3, 2-6, 2-6, 7-6(8), 6-3. He somehow survived seven match points in the match before grabbing the victory.
“I don’t deserve this one, but I’m standing here, and I’m very, very happy.”
It’s not often you see Roger Federer after a victory saying he did not deserve it, because usually he does deserve it. But this was just that close and with his groin concerns, it was almost a miracle.
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Fortunately though, now it looks like he is fully fit and raring to compete again. But there is still a long way to go until May. Federer will compete in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships starting on February 24.
Roger Federer to take seven-week break from tennis as agent Tony Godsick dispels rumours
Roger Federer’s schedule will see him take a seven-week break from tennis following the conclusion of the Miami Open on April 5. The Swiss star will not return to action until May 24 when the French Open gets underway.
Federer had skipped the clay season for three years in a row until 2019 so a big gap during April and May is not usual for the 38-year-old.
However, there were suggestions the 20-time Grand Slam winner was contemplating adding some clay-court events to his calendar.
Swiss journalist Rene Stauffer claims to have spoken to Federer’s agent Tony Godsick, who in turn dispelled rumours the world No 3 could compete at the Rome or Madrid Masters events.
“Just got the confirmation from Tony Godsick that rumours are not true that @rogerfederer will play Masters-Tournaments in Rome and Madrid 2020,” Stauffer tweeted.
“Probably only Roland Garros on clay.”
Federer got his season underway with a strange run to the Australian Open semi-finals, where he lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.
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He will return to action in Dubai on February 24 before jetting off to America for the Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami.
After that Federer will take time to rest his ageing body and relax with his family ahead of a hectic summer.
With the Olympic Games taking place this year Federer must manage his schedule more carefully.
He will attempt to win the elusive gold medal for Switzerland in Tokyo.
Belinda Bencic is also hoping Federer will join her in the mixed doubles event.
“I hope so,” Bencic said when asked by SRF is she will partner Federer. “That also depends on his form.
“If he decides to compete in single and mixed doubles, I would be very happy if we could play together.”
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Federer and Bencic have competed together at the Hopman Cup before the event was axed and replaced by the ATP Cup this year.
“When I didn’t know him so well, I was very nervous when I spoke to him,” Bencic said of Federer.
“I met him at the Hopman Cup, where he helped me a lot. Even now he always has an open ear for me next to the square.
“He is especially at my side with questions about advanced training and tournament preparation.
“Not only is he a champion himself, he also wants to help the next generation.”
