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PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 01: Serena Williams of the United States and Roger Federer of Switzerland take a selfie on court following their mixed doubles match during day four of the 2019 Hopman Cup at RAC Arena on January 01, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
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PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 01: Serena Williams of the United States and Roger Federer of Switzerland take a selfie on court following their mixed doubles match during day four of the 2019 Hopman Cup at RAC Arena on January 01, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Both Roger Federer and Serena Williams are playing at the French Open 2021 despite their recent poor string of performances on clay. While Federer suffered a defeat in his very first match at the Geneva Open 2021, Williams lost to Nadia Podoroska in straight sets at the Italian Open 2021. She even tried her luck at the WTA Parma 2021 but got eliminated in the second round of the tournament.
Hence, fans are confused about just why Roger Federer and Serena Williams playing in Paris this year. In a recent interview, tennis legend Marion Bartoli revealed what could be the possible reason for the same.
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Serena Williams of the United States speaks to Roger Federer of Switzerland during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Before the first match of the Miami Open on March 20, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
“It’s one thing to practice, it’s another to feel the stress and pressure of playing a normal match. I just think they want to feel that in their bodies before they go onto their best surface,” said Bartoli.
Bartoli believes that both Federer and Serena want to feel the experience of playing a normal match at the French Open 2021. She highlighted that this would heat up their bodies before the Wimbledon Championships 2021, the major which both of them are targeting.
Bartoli believes Roland Garros can prepare Roger Federer and Serena Williams for the grass-court season
Bartoli emphasized that Serena and Roger would most probably now succeed on clay. However, she believes that they can prepare themselves for the grass-court season by battling against some tough opponents at the French Open 2021.
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Roger Federer of Switzerland in preparation for the 2019 French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros. May 23rd, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
“We all know that clay is probably not where they’re going to win. But that can prepare them for the grass just on the mental aspect of being on the court and able to compete,” added the Wimbledon 2013 winner.
Federer has already claimed that he is not going to win the French Open 2021. On the other hand, Serena’s form on clay is also not that great right now. However, fans still have great expectations from both the legends and want them to deliver at Roland Garros. Will the two be able to stun everyone and succeed in Paris this year?
