Federer Falls To Andujar In Clay Opener In Geneva, Reminds French Is Not The Goal

Roger Federer played his first clay match in almost two years today at his home Swiss event in Geneva. It didn’t go well early, and it didn’t go well late for the former No. 1 as clay veteran Pablo Andujar pulled the mild upset 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Federer had flashes during match. His forehand had some heat on it as did his backhand. After two knee surgeries, the movement was decent but above all his game wasn’t consistent.

After dropping the opening set, led by his forehand and serve, Federer came back nicely in the second and built a break lead in the third. But close to the finish line, errors crept back in and the 35-year-old Andujar won the last four games to take the match.

“Of course at 4-2 in the third you feel like, ‘Oh, that’s nice that I was able to turn around the match.’ You start feeling better and that’s when it dips and everything is over 10 minutes later,” Federer said. “B

“I just could feel that the moment was getting tougher, the game wasn’t there. Obviously, missing way too much maybe to come through even though 4-3 and a break. The chances were all there,” Federer said. “But again I thought he played good down the stretch and I just couldn’t come up with the goods.”

Incredible, both well into their 30s, this was their first meeting, and Andujar ranked this win at the top.

“Number one for sure,” Andujar said. “To win a tournament could be more emotional, but this is something I think I will remember my whole life.”

Federer was playing his first clay match since his 2019 French semifinal loss to Rafael Nadal.

“It’s good to be back on the court, but then you lost a match like this and you’re down. It never feels great. I was looking forward to playing here, no doubt about it,” Federer said.

“Sure, it’s rewarding to be back on a tennis court. But I expect better from myself. I feel like in practice I’ve been playing better, even in practice here. But then again as we know, matches are a different animal. I’ve got my work cut out there.”

Federer also reminded the press and his fans that Wimbledon is still the target for getting back to full form.

“Roland Garros is not the goal. The goal is the grass, so I still have time,” Federer said. “I’m disappointed for the tournament more than anything. I wish I could have stayed around and played some more matches for the people here because … they seemed very happy to see me here.”

FEDERER HIGHLIGHTS

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