Roger Federer sends French Open warning to rivals 'it's go time'
ROGER FEDERER has sent a confident message to his French Open rivals as he nears a return to the Roland Garros clay.
Roger Federer’s opening match at the 2019 French Open will mark almost four years since he last appeared at the competition.
Ahead of his round of 128 clash against Lorenzo Sonego on Sunday, the veteran posted on Instagram with the caption “Tomorrow is go time!!.”
The 37-year-old is an outsider in France having only won one of his 17 outings at the tournament.
Federer’s maiden title came back in 2009, with Rafael Nadal dominating with 11 triumphs since making his debut in 2005.
Prior to the second Grand Slam of the tennis season, Federer made the stunning admission that any of his upcoming tournaments could be his last because of his advanced age.
"The fact that this can be my last Roland Garros? Each tournament can be the last,” Federer told French TV channel Stade 2.
“Yes, it is not excluded, it's true.“
Although his retirement date is not yet planned, his return to Roland Garros had been rumoured to be a farewell gesture, but he has since denied those reports.
He continued: “I do not see my arrival at Roland Garros this year as if it was the last.
“I want to play it like 10 years ago, it does not change.
“I will be happy if I win a few games and if I can perhaps spend the first week at Roland Garros.
“We do not know the table, it's hard to talk about it. But it would be a shame to visit Roland for the last time. It would be bad, but I will give my best."
When asked why he chose to make a return to the tournament for the first time since 2015, the eight-time Wimbledon champion offered a simple explanation.
He said: "What made me decide to come back to Roland-Garros? In the end, it's envy.
“I like slipping, cushioning, riding at odds, playing with angles. See the fans I have not seen here.
“I hope to win a few games to really savour this audience.”