Former Swiss tennis champion Marc Rosset has welcomed countrymate Roger Federer’s decision to play the Geneva clay court event before returning to Roland-Garros.

Putting an end to speculations stemming from his earlier statements that he had identified Wimbledon, Tokyo Olympics, and the US Open as his priority events this year, the Swiss champion recently released a statement confirming his participation at the French Open.

Rosset, who also happens to be the sporting director of Geneva Open, said Federer’s participation at the event will not only give him a chance to catch up with him after a long while, but also raise the profile of the tournament.

Marc Rosset says Roger Federer’s participation would raise the profile of Geneva Open

To a question on whether he was happy to have Federer playing in Geneva, Rosset told Swiss-German publication Blick, “Sure, then I’ll finally see him again. Of course, it’s cool for the tournament.”

On whether he talked the champion into enlisting his participation in Geneva, the Olympic gold medalist said he finds no “pleasure” in talking tennis with Federer.

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While the 39-year-old Swiss traveled without his family at his recent comeback event in Doha, largely owing to concerns around the bubble, playing in Geneva would afford him an opportunity to tag his loved ones along. He also has friends there.

“For him, it’s like coming home,” the former champion said.

Marc Rosset says Federer didn’t play Geneva because it ends days before French Open

Rosset said that a week’s delay to the start of the French Open may have prompted Federer to play Geneva as he would have an extra week after the event to prepare for Roland-Garros.

“That’s why he never played for us before – he doesn’t like playing in a Grand Slam immediately afterwards,” Rosset said.

He added that it’s not so much about Geneva as it’s important that Federer gets a few matches under his belt before going up against the top stars at the French Open and Wimbledon.

“If you want to win Wimbledon and beat a Djokovic, Nadal or Tsitsipas there, you have to have a maximum of tough matches against top players in your bones. That also applies if your name is Roger Federer,” Rosset said.

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The former World No.1 lost his way from match point in the 2019 Wimbledon final against Djokovic and will be desperate to mark his return to the lawns with a ninth career title.