World No. 3 Roger
Federer is healthy and ready to begin his quest for a 17th major title at
Roland Garros. Federer has won an ATP World Tour leading four trophies this
season heading into Paris, including his 20th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown
in Madrid.
“I feel really good.
Much less problems than I had through Madrid and Rome,” said Federer. “I took
three days off after the Djokovic match from Rome and just came here and
relaxed and started practising Wednesday. So I feel right where I want to be a
few days before the event.”
The Swiss completed a
career Grand Slam on Court Philippe Chatrier three years ago, and has
established consistency at the second major tournament of the year, reaching
the final in five of his past six appearances.
“Obviously 2009 was
very, very special winning here,” Federer said. “Just the emotions were
ridiculous, and I got amazing crowd support. [It was the] same again basically
last year, which was so nice to see.
“I’m looking forward to
it again this year. It would mean a lot to me, because I have had some of those
great emotions I was just telling you about. To relive those would be amazing,
winning the title here, no doubt.”
Federer, who faces
Tobias Kamke in the first round, could clash with World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in
the semi-finals. The Serbian is bidding to win four straight Grand Slam titles.
The 30-year-old Federer believes Djokovic’s pursuit has shed a positive light
on men’s tennis.
“It’s an amazing
achievement in itself to win three in a row. Four in a row is just another
amazing step,” said Federer. “I think the toughest part is the very end, the
back end of it I think. I’ve been there twice I think. I was twice in the
finals, twice a couple sets away.
“It’s amazing for
tennis right now that we have Novak in this situation again where we had Rafa
at the Australian Open last year, I think it was, and before that I had the
chance a few times. So I think it’s great for the sport. It will be interesting
to follow Novak going for that.”
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