No need for warm-ups, I play to win - Roger Federer
Roger Federer doesn’t treat warm-up events as part of his practice court regime that has resulted in his historic brilliance on the tennis court. According to Federer, he plays every tournament trying to always win.
The 17-time grand slam champion recently spoke following the announcement of his tentative schedule for the 2016 season. Federer’s 2016 season is pretty much going to be like this year, where he took part in 17 tournaments including Switzerland’s Davis Cup World Group playoff against the Netherlands in September and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November.
“I only play between 16 and 20 (tournaments), so in my case every tournament counts,” Federer said. “Of course, I want to peak at certain times, but I don’t see particularly events as warm-ups for other events, I play every event trying to always win.”
This season, Federer played several tournaments before taking part at Roland Garros. The 17-time grand slam champion reached the third round of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters where he lost to Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-4 7-6(5). He played in the inaugural TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Open where he defeated Pablo Cuevas in the finals 6-3 7-6(11). At the Mutua Madrid Open, Federer lost to Nick Kyrgios in the second round 6-7(2) 7-6(5) 7-6(12). He reached the finals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia before losing to Novak Djokovic in straight sets 6-4 6-3. At the Roland Garros, he lost to compatriot Stan Wawrinka in the quarterfinals 6-4 6-3 7-6(4).
Next season, Federer will not play any tournament after ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells. He will skip Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome events. Although he won’t be playing in as much clay court events as he did this year, Federer said he will be training hard so that he will be prepared when the grand slam claycourt event comes.
Federer wants to make sure he will be ready and all set in his bid to win a second Roland Garros title. The Roland Garros is the only tournament that Federer had only won once when he beat Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-1 7-6(7) 6-4 in 2009.
“This is not me on vacation for two months,” Federer in an interview as quoted by Channel News Asia. “This will actually be, maybe, 10 days off and the rest will be training, so I’ll be very, very ready when the French Open comes around but I will also try to save energy for the summer tournaments.”
Contact the writer at feedback@IBTimes.com.au, or let us know your thoughts below.