Roger Federer trains before return to action at the Geneva Open – in pictures
Swiss 20-time Grand Slam winner is competing for first time this season
May 17, 2021
Tennis legend Roger Federer is back in competitive action this week as he kicks-off his season at the Geneva Open.
After missing more than a year following two knee operations, Federer will begin his clay-court campaign on home turf as he prepares for the French Open, that is due to begin on May 30.
The red clay has proved to be the 39-year-old's least successful Grand Slam. He has won the title only once – in 2009 – and has not competed at Roland Garros in four of the last five years due to injuries and scheduling preferences.
Federer, who has won 20 Grand Slam titles, hopes his decision to play on his least favourite surface will prove beneficial to his bid to seal a ninth Wimbledon title this summer on his favoured grass.
"I was happy that the knee didn't feel any different from hard to clay, so I expect the same to go from clay to grass," Federer told reporters on Monday.
"Since '98, since we have the grass in my schedule, I've never really had any major issues going between surfaces.
"I think that the tennis player is used to these switches but of course with an injury there is always a little bit more concern, especially when you haven't played as long as I have.
"I'm convinced that hitting a lot of balls – you have to really power through the ball, like you have to on clay because otherwise you're not going to have an impact on this surface – is going to be beneficial for me for the grass court season."
So good to see @rogerfederer back on clay 😍
– ATP Tour (@atptour) May 16, 2021
Updated: May 17, 2021 03:00 PM
