Roger Federer: Former world No 1 reveals how star can rival Rafael Nadal at French Open
ROGER FEDERER will only play at this year’s French Open because he knows he is in with a chance of winning.
Roger Federer announced his intention to compete at French Open in May after skipping the tournament for three years in a row.
Juan Carlos Ferrero, who was ranked world No 1 in 2003, the same year that Federer won his first major title. has claimed that the Swiss can still produce world class performances despite his advanced age.
"He had already proved that he knows his limits by having a light schedule in order to play at a high level when he shows up,” Ferrero told Tennis World.
“If he took that decision it's because he likes to do it and he knows that he can do it so it's right."
Federer, 37, returns to action at the Dubai Tennis Championship today as his preparation for Rolland Garros in May begins.
The eight-time Wimbledon winner shocked fans with his plan to return to the French major, having only won the title once in 17 attempts.
"Federer has proved along the year his enormous strength,” Ferrero added.
“He keeps enjoying the tour and showing an enormous level even though he is close to the 40s.”
I thought of it, in isolation, do I want to play the clay or not? The answer was yes
Federer will take on Philipp Kohlschreiber in the round of 32 in Dubai today, and revealed before the tournament why he has decided to make a return to clay this season.
The Swiss was asked if he is only playing at Roland Garros because he intends to retire later this year.
He replied: “No, it’s not.
“I thought of it, in isolation, do I want to play the clay or not? The answer was yes.
“This doesn’t mean this is my last clay-court season, whatever, or I had to play one more time before I retired. That was not the thinking.
“All I knew is after missing it for two to three years basically, my body was ready, I was ready, my schedule with the family, my schedule with the team was ready to do it again.
“This is when I opted to say, ‘It will be nice’.”
Federer takes on Kohlschreiber in Dubai at around 3pm.