Roger Federer Says He Can’t Find a Practice Partner to Play Against Rafael Nadal

World Number three, Roger Federer was eliminated from French Open 2019 by the eventual sovereign of clay Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. It was a straight forward loss for the 20-time Grand Slam champion and today, Rafa’s less celebrated backhand aided him to sweep aside his longtime foe, Roger Federer. 

After his defeat, Roger Federer spoke highly about Rafa and in his 20-year long career, he hasn’t found anyone with whom he could train to outdo the Spanish World Number two on the red surface.

“He makes you feel uncomfortable the way he defends the court and plays on clay. There is nobody who even plays remotely close to him,” said Roger Federer. “I don’t even know who I need to go search for to go practice with somebody who plays like him. It’s just amazing how he plays from deep and then is able to bounce back and forth from the baseline.”

Today, the conditions at Roland-Garros were not ideal to conduct tennis matches. The turbulent wind on Court Philippe-Chatrier made it tedious for the ATP men to play their natural game of tennis. Also, their practice sessions were interrupted due to the same reason.

In his previous match against Stan Wawrinka, Roger Federer approached the net 60 times and he won more 70 percent of the points on the net in his previous matches in Paris. However, today, the 40 miles per hour breezing conditions allowed him to win 17 points on the net out the 35 trips that he made to the net.

“You get to a point where you’re just happy to make shots and not look ridiculous,” Roger Federer referred to the wind. “I mean, it’s that bad. It’s just really difficult, you know, for both of us. There is also no way to practice in these conditions, you know. It’s all a mindset. It’s footwork. It’s all that stuff, you know.”

Despite the stormy environment, the Swiss maestro was contented with his game today and his return to clay was majorly to play against Rafael Nadal. Roger Federer could play attacking tennis today, however, Rafa’s forehands and backhands served the defensive role and the Spaniard dropped just nine games against his rival.

“But again, I don’t think I played poorly in the wind today. It’s just it’s tough on clay. You know, you’ve got to try to take on the half volleys, too, all that stuff. It just adds to the equation. He’s the best clay-court player, so I can accept that. It’s not a problem,” the 2009 champion continued.

During the entire two weeks, besides Federer’s matches, even his practice sessions were thronged with people. His return to the dirt has been fascinating his fans globally and Roger Federer was delighted with the crowds’ reaction.

‘I thought it was a great tournament. I really enjoyed it. Crowd support couldn’t have been better. Maybe one of the best ever in my entire 20-year career that I have been on tour at a Slam. Them always being there for me, supporting me in practice, at the matches, on the grounds whenever I came and showed up, they were always happy to see me. So that was nice.”

Today, Roger Federer played his first semi-final at Roland Garros since 2012 and he has no regrets about not winning a title during the clay season. He lost two matches on clay out the eleven that he played and that has bolstered his spot on the third place on the ATP ladder. Roger Federer had a wonderful time in Madrid, Rome, and Paris and he is yet to decide about his next venture on the sludge.

“In terms of playing, I think I played really, actually, well. You know, I think I surprised myself maybe how deep I got in this tournament and how well I actually was able to play throughout. And next year, just like with any other tournament, I don’t know. We’ll see what happens. But I definitely enjoyed the clay court season and the French Open, so that would help the chances, I guess, to return to the clay. It’s not like it’s been a shocker, you know. So from that standpoint, it’s okay,” Roger Federer said.