Roger Federer: The Second Half Of The Season Is My Priority, That’s Why I’m Going To Take A Break
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In his post-match presser following an impressive win over Rafael Nadal in the Miami final, Roger Federer reiterated that he is not planning on playing any clay court lead-up events to the French Open. Instead, he said, he’ll work out in the gym and practice on hard courts and focus on the post-French schedule which includes Wimbledon and the summer hard courts.
“I think it’s more about relaxing right now, making sure I get a rest. So I think it’s more prevention, to be honest,” Federer said about skipping the clay.
“I’m looking forward to go back in the gym and work on the stuff I couldn’t do for the last few months.Yeah, so I’ll probably stay on hard courts actually for the next few months, if you like, and then I’ll get on the clay probably two weeks before the French. That’s the plan for now.”
Federer, though, did leave the door open for a potential clay stop.
“I can still change my schedule so I don’t regret anything,” he said. “I’ve just only taken the decision, and I definitely took that into considering consideration. Like I said, I’m not 24 anymore. I have to pick my moments where I can peak and stay healthy.
“Also part of the situation was that my knee was really strange on the clay last year, so maybe being away from the clay as much as possible maybe is a good thing as well.”
But, it sounds like Federer has his mind made up.
“At the end of the day, I need to look out for my health, that I’m happy in all parts of my life, personal, private, on-court life, professional life, and I can’t keep this pace up on every single day,” Federer said. “Just too much and I’ll run out. The desire will run out.
“I would rather stay take a step back and then really come back with a lot of energy and happiness. Then I can share that with everybody. Otherwise you’ll see me here and you will see that all I want to do is get out of here. I don’t want to be that guy. I really don’t.”
Federer also said that Wimbledon is one of his top goals for the season.
“Wimbledon has to be the biggest goal, I mean now in the near future,” he said. “The American hard courts I guess as well. The French Open I guess to some extent. It’s just we’ll see what happens, you know. No pressure there really because I won’t have a preparation as such.
“But all of the grass really is important to me because I’ll play Stuttgart and Halle there, too. Then of course I am looking very good for the World Tour Finals, for the year-end championships, where I’ve been very successful. I like the indoors as well.
“So for me basically the second half of the season is a big priority now. That’s why I’ll take a break as well.”
And if the results continue, Federer will have a very real shot a finishing No. 1 or least returning to the top spot sometime over the summer. The Swiss has no points to defend after Wimbledon!
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