Federer finds love in Paris

PARIS (Reuters) – Roger Federer said he loved French fans after a long absence from an official tournament in Paris as he began his campaign for the 100th title of his career.

Federer, who has not played in Paris at the French Open nor at the Masters in the halls since 2015, has received a warm welcome from fans in a triumphant return to Percy after his belated decision to participate after winning the 99th title of his career in Basel on Sunday.

Before the 6-3, 6-4 victory over Fabio Fontaine and the quarter-finals, the 37-year-old began to feel relieved at the reception and responded with "greetings" to fans in an interview after -match next to the field.

"I hope you understand that you miss the French fans a lot," a reporter told Federer after the easy win.

"It was great to receive this welcome message from the French fans.The welcome at the end of the game was also spectacular.I wanted to thank them and greet them.It was important to me.J" I won, which gave me the opportunity to talk to them after the match.

"I have some exciting memories in Open France (who won his title in 2009) and here (when he won the Masters in 2011.) Everyone knows that I am very happy to be able to do it. to be back here, but it's hard to prove it on the ground. "

Federer, who has preferred not to play on clay at Roland Garros and Percy in recent years, should play Wednesday.

But his rival Milos Runic retired due to an injury, leaving Federer thinking about the grace he received.

"I had a day of rest in addition because I did not have to play several consecutive matches," said Federer, who said he enjoyed a good dinner and was resting at place to play.

The Swiss insisted he was trying to play in Paris without pressure and that he was considering trying to find the final of the championship title of the men's tennis season in London at the end of the month.

"If things are going well this week, it's fine if it's not going well, it's going to be a bad thing, but I've tried it's good to play without pressure and find some something that helps me in London. "

"My goal is London, if you have a good championship in Paris and you beat him (Novak Djokovic), it's amazing, but I have not come to that yet, I'll wait to see what happens. . "