Roger Federer: I’ve Done The Right Things To Prepare For This Clay Season

A well-rested Roger Federer met the media Sunday in Monte Carlo. The Swiss, who has never won the Monte Carlo title, came close a year ago but was done in by fatigue, a cold and by good friend Stan Wawrinka in three sets.

“I got quite tired in the third set and also had a horrible cold,” Federer said of 2014. “I was not feeling like my absolute best, but still I was able to play well. Stan deserved the win because I couldn’t cross the finish line in the second set when I had to.”

Federer comes into this tournament, he says, with more confidence and on better footing after a Dubai title and an Indian Wells final.

“I’m feeling good about my game and my fitness,” said Federer who skipped Miami. “It’s been good to work on that for the last few weeks. I came here early on Thursday to practise on Centre Court, which is something I haven’t always had the chance to do. Clearly I feel I’ve done all the right things to prepare for the clay court season now.

“For fitness and rest, I had to do it more in blocks (compared to last year). That’s why I’m happy I got a vacation behind me. For fitness, I will do another block after Monaco when I come back to Switzerland and I might do some more after Madrid. That’s the plan and it will work well for Roland Garros and Wimbledon and beyond.”

Federer, a 4-time Monte Carlo runner-up, will open play against either Jeremy Chardy or qualifier Diego Schwartzman on Wednesday.

This is always the first tournament after seven or so months on hard courts. So far, so good. The draws are always tough in these Masters 1000s. I either play Chardy who was playing in Houston or a qualifier who has won two matches here. I’ll follow that closely before I get ready for my first round.”

A year ago Federer played Monte Carlo ranked No. 4, now he’s No. 2. The 33-year-old is 16-2 this year. He’s played just two events – Dubai and Indian Wells – in the last 10 weeks. But after adding Istanbul to his schedule, he’ll have a busy clay season ahead.

Roger Federer’s 2015 Clay Schedule
12 April: Monte Carlo
27 April: Istanbul
3 May: Madrid
10 May: Rome
24 May: Roland Garros