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Roger Federer (SUI) during the French Open Tennis at Stade Roland-Garros, Paris. (Credit: Jon Bromley | MI News) (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Roger Federer (SUI) during the French Open Tennis at Stade Roland-Garros, Paris. (Credit: Jon Bromley | MI News) (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The tennis calendar is looking in good shape for the next couple of months with an astounding line-up of clay-court tournaments. It begs the question – which clay tournaments will Roger Federer play this year? Brace yourselves because there might be earth-shattering news in the stock for all tennis fans.
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Roger Federer celebrates victory during his men’s singles first-round match against Lorenzo Sonego of Italy during Day one of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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The Swiss maestro is on the entry list of Mutua Madrid Open 2021, which begins on April 30. More significantly, it would be the first tournament after the Australian Open 2020, where the big three will collide.
But that’s not the actual news. The headline is that the 20-time Grand Slam champion from Switzerland is missing from the Italian Open 2021 entry list. Consequently, it indicates that King Federer has big plans set up for this year.
Chiefly, it means that Roger Federer might be planning to compete for the French Open 2021 title. Also, since his primary target is Wimbledon, this might be the perfect preparation he would need.
Federer isn’t in Rome’s list.
Madrid and Roland Garros looking like his plan for the clay season.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) April 12, 2021
Moreover, the two Grand Slam tournaments are only at a distance of two weeks from one another. It makes it even more ideal for the Swiss maestro to play at the Roland Garros this year.
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In the French Open 2019 semi-final, Roger Federer lost to his arch-rival and the king of clay Rafael Nadal in straight sets. Despite the loss, it prepared him well for Wimbledon, where he finished runner-up to Novak Djokovic.
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PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland embrace at the net after their men’s singles semi-final match during Day Thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019, in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
However, between 2019 and 2021, the Swiss maestro has undergone two knee surgeries and a 13-month long break from tennis. It would be a massive challenge for him to be ready for a Grand Slam tournament.
Due to the French Open postponement, Federer will have more time following Madrid. Similarly, it could also be the reason why he is not on Rome’s entry list, as it starts right after Madrid. Roger was missing from the entry list in 2019 as well, but he ended up playing anyway.
Above all, it would be amazing to see Federer bid for his second major title on the red dirt. He won his only Roland Garros title in 2009, defeating Robin Soderling 6–1, 7–6(1), 6–4.
The French Open 2021 will run from May 24 to June 13 this year. Let’s hope for the best until then.
Also Read: How Many French Open Finals Has Roger Federer Played?
