Up to on Friday had nothing to point out that Roger Federer before the French Open in Rome would compete. But then his Name suddenly in the Tableau, which had been triggered while he was playing in Madrid in the quarter-final against Dominic Thiem. “I wanted to leave open the possibility, even if the Chance was only one percent,” he said after the narrow defeat against the Austrians, when he spurned two match balls.

The Chance that he’ll play, be small, he said after the resignation. Shortly after 14 o’clock the Surprise was on Saturday but perfect: “I’m looking forward to play in Rome,” said Federer about the social networks and beamed to his video message, such as a child under the Christmas tree. He had travelled from Madrid, first to Switzerland.

New start-up for the first tournament victory

For a Start on the Tiber that he felt physically very fit after the three matches against Gasquet, Monfils, and Thiem, that’s the weather report for Switzerland, and he just wanted to go once again to Rome, not only in terms of the French Open. In Madrid, it was obvious that he has found the joy of tennis again. Against the cities tour in the Vatican city, the violation of the language of danger and the fact that the training facilities at the Tiber river are scarce. After a discussion with the Team, the decision was made.

Rome is next to Monte Carlo is the only Masters tournament, won by Federer never has, even though he was on two occasions, four times in the final. He starts after a bye against the Portuguese Joao Sousa or the American Frances Tiafoe in the round of sixteen, he could take on Borna Coric in the quarter-final on Stefanos Tsitsipas. In Rome, Federer in 2016, had contested the last sand tournament for three years, where he was also failed to Thiem, physically, but so was the hit that he was asked shortly before the match, what he was doing at all. “The knee and the back, everything hurt me at the time.” Three years later, he returns as a surprise – and how rejuvenated.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 11.05.2019, 15:00

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