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May 22, 2005
Federer tunes up for perfect Paris match
By Barry Flatman, The Sunday Times
There is a hole in his CV where the French Open title belongs, but the world No 1 believes it’s only a matter of time before he puts that right, says Barry Flatman
OBSESSION with winning that one elusive Grand Slam title can unnerve even the most remorseless of competitors. Remember how the normally methodical Ivan Lendl became consumed by his desire to win Wimbledon, and the usually assured Pete Sampras ultimately became racked with self-doubt at the mention of Roland Garros.
Roger Federer, without question a player gifted enough to be mentioned in the same breath as these two greats, is aware that glances are already being made in his direction. Admittedly, like anybody else aged just 23, he is justified in thinking they are premature, but his lack of success at the French Open is a huge anomaly, given his triumphs at tennis’s other major tournaments.
One quarter-final finish in six attempts on the red Parisian brick dust is not the sort of record expected of a competitor who many believe will ultimately be hailed as the greatest of all time, especially as he was taught the nuances of the game on clay courts.
Just as he has done twice in the previous three years, Federer filed immaculate credentials prior to his arrival in Paris by winning the Masters Series event in Hamburg — notoriously the most demanding and slowest of clay court events by virtue of the frigid and often damp conditions.
However, memories of last year’s third-round demise at Roland Garros to a barely half-fit Gustavo Kuerten and three first-round exits would seem to justify questioning whether something psychological is hampering the world No 1.
“Ah yes, the French Open. We are getting to that time again,” Federer acknowledges with an expression that suggests he has given the matter plenty of thought. “I don’t like to look at it as the one thing missing from the set in my collection. And I certainly don’t view winning it as the only thing left to accomplish in my career.
“Most people know how highly I revere Wimbledon and I feel that the Centre Court is the most magical place for a player. If I could choose between winning Wimbledon or Roland Garros, I would always pick Wimbledon. And, looking a long time into the future, if I was to win Wimbledon 10 times but never managed to win the French Open and was then given the choice, I would pick an 11th Wimbledon title rather than a first French.”
Affectionate words indeed, but proof of Federer’s determination to work harder in the pursuit of Parisian triumph is his request for coach Tony Roche to spend a month by his side throughout the clay-court season. Federer’s relationship with the seasoned Australian is mostly conducted over the telephone, and Roche has been told it is not imperative for him to be at Wimbledon, but obviously this is a time when a little advice and assurance are necessary.
Early tests await. Federer’s first-round opponent, the 20-year-old Swede Robin Soderling, defeated last year’s French Open semi-finalist David Nalbandian in Hamburg, while potential third-round challenger Fernando Gonzalez reached the quarter-final two years ago and has won four clay-court titles.
But there is no doubt that Federer has the game to prevail on the dirt. He is, without doubt, the most adaptable player of the modern era and is perfectly equipped to survive protracted baseline encounters.
“Clay has always felt natural to me,” he insists. “The way I slide, it makes me feel good, but I always think back to the start of my professional career and it presented a problem. The first 11 clay-court matches of my pro career ended in defeat. There was Gstaad in 1998 and 1999, a bad loss in Monte Carlo to (Vince) Spadea (7-6 6-0) and then another at Roland Garros to (Patrick) Rafter after I was given a wildcard entry.
“In 1999 I was also beaten in both rubbers when Switzerland played Belgium on clay in Brussels, and then in 2000 I lost to (Andrei) Medvedev in Rome and (Andrei) Pavel in Hamburg. I remember all those matches, and although I didn’t even win too many sets, I was never the favourite. At the time, playing indoors was not a problem for me; neither was grass or a hard court. But on clay I could not create surprises because you have to hit too many balls and, both physically and mentally, you have to be so tough.
“Back then I wasn’t, but now I am so much stronger and know I can play well in Paris.”
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