Roger Federer's greatest wins on clay - in pictures

As the 20-time major winner prepares to return to clay a look back at some of his best performances and most important victories on the red surface from his career

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  Roger Federer's greatest success on clay came in 2009 when he won the French Open. Getty

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  Gustavo Kuerten 2002, Hamburg. Federer first hinted he could be a force on clay in 2002 by winning the Hamburg title. He beat Marat Safin in the final but it was his quarter-final victory over Gustavo Kuerten that really stood out. Kuerten was the defending French Open champion and had won three times at Roland Garros. But Federer went toe to toe with him in Hamburg and won 6-0, 1-6, 6-2. Reuters

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  Carlos Moya 2005, French Open. Federer was still establishing himself on clay despite being No 1 in the rankings. But he showed again what he could do on the red stuff with an emphatic win over 1998 French Open winner Moya. He dropped just eight games to the Spaniard as he won their fourth-round match 6-1, 6-4, 6-3. AFP

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  Rafael Nadal 2007, Hamburg. Between April 2005 and May 2007 Nadal was invincible on clay. He had an astonishing winning streak of 81 games. But Federer ended that in the 2007 Hamburg final. He did not just beat the 17-time major winner that day, he hammered him. He lost only two games after losing the first set as he prevailed 2-6, 6-2, 6-0. Federer may not have a victory over Nadal to his name at the French Open but this is still a fine consolation. Reuters

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  Juan Martin del Potro 2009, French Open. The pressure was on. Nadal was out of the French Open and the chance to finally win the major title eluding Federer was there to be taken. Only problem was he had the in-form Del Potro in the semi-final. This was a titanic clash and Federer had to dig deep to prevail. He twice came from a set down before triumphing 3-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4. Getty

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  Robin Soderling 2009, French Open. The most important win for Federer on clay as finally, having waited since September 2004, he completed his career grand slam by beating Soderling in the final at Roland Garros. It was a classic Federer performance. Start strong, stave off the second-set revival and then cruise through the decisive set as he won 6-1, 7-6, 6-4. AFP

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  Novak Djokovic 2011, French Open. Djokovic was on sensational form in 2011, winning his first 43 games of the year. He looked a strong favourite to win the French Open but no-one had told Federer. The Swiss player put in one of his greatest performances as he shocked the Serbian with a 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 success. Getty

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  Tomas Berdych 2012, Madrid. This victory stands out as being the last Masters title to date that Federer has won on clay. He overcame a slow start on this occasion to get the better of his Czech opponent with a 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory in the final in Madrid. AFP

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  Gael Monfils 2015, French Open. It is four years this month since Federer last competed at the French Open. Federer proved he was still a more then capable competitor on clay in 2015 as he reached the quarter-finals. His best performance was in defeating Gael Monfils in the fourth round 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. AFP

For the first time in three years Roger Federer will compete on clay at an ATP Tour event when he plays in the Madrid Masters, which begins on May 6.

The 20-time major winner sidelined playing on the red surface in 2017 and 2018 to allow himself to rest and to also concentrate on playing on grass at Wimbledon.

But the 37 year old has changed tact this year and is back to play on clay.

It may not be his strongest surface but he still has achieved much on it in the past, including a French Open crown and six Masters titles.

Ahead of his return to court in Madrid, where he is a two-time champion, here is a look at some of his best wins on the red surface in the gallery above with matches against Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro and Gustavo Kuerten included on the list.

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