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PARIS: Roger Federer returns to tennis on clay for the first time in three years in Madrid next week, admitting that it looked like a trip in the "no man's land".
Aged 37, he tested for the last time his abilities on European soil at the Masters of Rome in 2016, before opting for the hard surfaces of the world and the budding courts that gave the majority of his 101 securities.
But with his career at twilight, the Swiss decided to return to the realm of tennis long dominated by his rival Rafael Nadal – and Madrid seems to be the logical rendezvous.
Federer has won two of his 11 titles on clay in the Spanish capital, where high altitude allows him to deny the traditionally pedestrian pace of the dusty surface.
"I'm very excited, it's a good challenge, a good test, trust, I do not know, it's a no-man's land, I have to start from scratch," he said. said Federer after winning his last title in Miami.
His long-term goal this spring is Roland-Garros where he was champion in 2009 and where he was a finalist four times in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011, losing on every occasion against Nadal.
However, with Nadal, 11-time winner of Roland-Garros, in a sort of crisis, after being declared champion of Barcelona and Monte Carlo in recent weeks, Federer saw a glimmer of hope.
This beam of light was brightened when the world number one Novak Djokovic left Monte Carlo in the quarterfinals.
"Roger is still very hungry," said Federer coach Ivan Ljubicic at Sky Sports Italia.
"And he's used to playing back on clay fast enough."
Federer's last clay track title was in Istanbul in 2015, the year of the last appearance of Roland Garros with a quarter-final exit at the hands of his close friend Stan Wawrinka.
In 2016, Rome witnessed the latest release of the Swiss star on clay. A defeat in two sets against Dominic Thiem in the third round seems to convince him that his dirt career is over.
"I'm not very confident in this season on clay, I can tell you that – I do not even remember how to slide," said Federer.
"You know, I do not baby steps at this point, to be honest, I did not play any point, not a hit on clay last year." I played two days.
"Three years ago, I did not feel very good in Monaco and Rome and all that, so it's been so short that I really do not know what to expect."
Despite his caution, his long-time rivals fear to underestimate the 20-time Grand Slam champion next week.
"Everything is possible for Roger," said Kei Nishikori, seventh in the world, who can at least boast of having won his only encounter on clay with Federer, in Madrid in 2013.
"Winning Roland Garros may be more difficult for him than winning the Australian Open or Wimbledon, but I'm sure he can do anything he tries to 100%.
"I'm sure Roger knows how to play clay, he's still my idol, he's the best player in history."
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