Roger Federer reveals why he was so pleased with winning return at Stuttgart Open
ROGER FEDERER revealed his delight at getting back to winning ways after beating Mischa Zverev in his opening match at the Stuttgart Open yesterday.
The Swiss star ended a three-month break with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 triumph over home hopeful Zverev - the older brother of world No 3 Alexander - on grass.
That was his first outing since a shock Miami Open defeat to Australian qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis in late March, which itself followed an Indian Wells Masters final loss to Juan Martin del Potro.
Federer’s clay-court hiatus was longer than his break between this season and last with the 36-year-old, 37 in August, hoping to repeat the trick of last season.
Having opted to miss the clay swing in 2017, Federer won the Halle Open, an eighth Wimbledon title, the Shanghai Masters and the Swiss Indoors though back issues disrupted his end-of-season form.
I’m very happy with how I played. I’m super happy to be back on tour. It’s been a great start.
While he dropped his first set on grass since losing his opening match in Stuttgart against Tommy Haas 12 months ago, ending a 30-set winning streak, Federer expressed his relief at beating Zverev after such a lengthy spell off court.
“Three months is a long time, it’s longer than the year-end break. So, I’m very happy returning on good terms onto the tour,” Federer told reporters.
“It was difficult, I missed some chances, maybe, in the first set. He connected well at the right times.
“And then I found a way, I found my rhythm. I’m very happy with how I played. I’m super happy to be back on tour. It’s been a great start.”
Federer has not lost three matches in a row since 2002 and if he wins his next two matches, can succeed Rafael Nadal as world No 1 having taken just 20 points here last year.
He is currently 100 points behind Nadal, who won the French Open last week, but would move 150 points clear at the summit by winning the ATP World Tour 250 Series event.