World number four Roger Federer admitted that he’s already set his sights on the grasscourt season after a fourth round exit at the Roland Garros 2014 tournament in Paris. The Swiss tennis superstar lost to eventual semifinalist Ernest Gulbis.
“Mentally I have already switched to the grass, to be quite honest,” said Federer. “For me, it’s like, ‘the clay-court season was fun, but we are moving on.’ Clay doesn’t need me anymore, I got flushed out here.
“Clearly first the focus is on Halle, try to defend my title there. It’s nice going back to a place where I have to defend something. Hasn’t been like this for a while, so that’s something I’m looking forward to. I think when I’m healthy, like I have been now for the last six to nine months, I think I can also decide the outcome of the matches more than I could last year. I’m very excited about my chances for Wimbledon now this time.”
Federer will start his grasscourt campaign at the Gerry Weber Open this week in Halle. He’s the defending champion and has won the title six times in total.
“Things are going to change with the grass season,” he said. “It’s going to be different. I have to shorten the back-swing.
“Usually one plays well on grass because one has to do so much on clay to put pressure on the ball that it’s necessary to hit hard. I feel the same for myself. When you move on the quick ground, it’s difficult to take the speed from the opponent. On clay it’s different, and that’s probably the reason I play rather well on grass after the clay season.”
The Gerry Weber Open features a strong field which includes world number one Rafael Nadal and Canadian world top ten player Milos Raonic.
