Roger Federer has set the date for his return to tennis, in time for grass season
Roger Federer will be back in less than two weeks, in his first grass tournament, pushing for his quest to win a record eighth title at Wimbledon.
Although the Swiss player has only played just four tournaments this year, he’s won where it counted, with one grand slam already, to add to his 18 title tally, and two more Masters 1000 trophies. Taking into account how much the time off and rehabilitation helped heal his body last year, the tennis legend said he would sit out the season after his last major title in Miami. At the time he said he might try his hand at another French Open, but considering how much physical toll the clay season took on his knee last year, he assessed it was probably wisest to skip even that tournament.
While everyone’s been sweating in the European sun in Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, the 18-time grand slam champ has been enjoying his time off and hobnobbing it with the royals at Pippa Middleton’s wedding, a big fan of tennis and of course, Federer’s.
But it’s now back to business and we have a definitive date set for the Swiss Maestro to return to the game that he loves on the surface he plays so well, grass, at the Stuttgart ATP 250 tournament. It’s rare for the Basel native to play an ATP 250, but grass is a preferred surface for the legend and playing another event besides his country’s Basel tourney is a smart warm-up strategy for the 35 year-old to get in as much practice for his beloved Wimbledon. He is tied with the great Pete Sampras with seven titles there and will be going for a record eight, to own the Wimbledon pinnacle all on his own. It’s an important achievement in a year where he has accomplished so much.
The clay season has been all about Rafael Nadal and La Decima, his 10th titles in several events, including the culmination of the French Open, where he is going for his deca title there as well. Before that, in the hard court season, it was all about their renewed rivalry and the resurgent performance both legends embodied after a half year off from the sport they have given so much to. Federer had won the first grand slam of the year at the Australian Open, plus the hard court “Sunshine Double” at Indian Wells and Miami. Nadal equaled Federer with two of his own Masters 1000 titles at Monte Carlo and Madrid during clay season, but ran out of steam in Rome for his third Masters trophy there. As it stands, both legendary rivals hold two Masters wins this year. Nadal has now equaled Djokovic’s record of 30, with Federer behind at 26. Nadal is the favorite for the title at Roland Garros, which would be his 10th, and if he wins, he and Federer will stand equal with one grand slam a piece for 2017.
Once grass season rolls around, they will both be on an even playing field, with Wimbledon—where they staged their greatest match in the 2008 final—the big stage to test their Renaissance revival.
In the meantime, we can anticipate the Swiss Maestro’s return to tennis at Stuttgart, with his play date set for June 14.
Edwin Weindorfer, Stuttgart tournament director, is expecting more spectators than usual after the announcement.
“There are still tickets available for his first match on Wednesday but there are only a few left for the final weekend,” Weindorfer stated.
I’m sure tickets for the grass event will soon be hard to come by as word gets out about Federer entering the draw.