Roger Federer has conceded he is not playing well enough to have a chance of winning the upcoming French Open.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner lost 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to Spanish journeyman Pablo Andujar in the Geneva Open on Tuesday, Federer's only tune-up event on clay before Roland Garros.
It was 39-year-old Federer's first match since his comeback in Doha in March after two knee surgeries ruled him out of action for more than a year.
"I think when you played so little and you know where your level is at, and I think you saw that today, how can I think of winning the French Open?" Federer said.
"I'm just realistic that I know I will not win the French and whoever thought I would or could win it is wrong.
"Of course, crazier things might have happened, but I'm not so sure in the last 50 years at the French Open, somebody just rocked up at 40-years-old, being out for a year-and-a-half and just go on to just win everything straight."
In the decisive set in Geneva, the top-seed Swiss forced a service break and led 4-2 before Andujar rallied.
Federer saved two match points on his own serve, but the third ended with a wayward forehand under pressure on the baseline.
Andujar, the world No 75, was playing Federer for the first time – despite on the tour since 2003 – held his head in his hands after securing victory.
"It's amazing. I still cannot believe," the 35-year-old, who has never went beyond the fourth round in a major, told ATPTour.com. "Playing him was a dream. But of course beating him is another level.
"It's very emotional to play him and to beat him, given the conditions for him coming back and he's not for sure playing his best tennis. But it really counts a lot to me."
The clay-court specialist has won four tour titles, but said beating Federer topped those triumphs. It counts "as number one, for sure", Andujar, who will face Marton Fucsovics or Dominic Stricker in Thursday's quarter-finals, said.
"To win a tournament could be more emotional, but this is something I think I will remember my whole life. I have a lot of respect and I admire a lot Roger Federer. Not a bad day at the office."
