Article

  • Federer plans shorter clay season for 2009

    12/3/08 4:44 PM | David Cox
    Federer plans shorter clay season for 2009 Roger Federer has announced his schedule for 2009, revealing that he plans to compete in just two clay events before the French Open, the mandatory Rome and Madrid tournaments.

    The Swiss will take a month off after Miami, bypassing most of the ATP's revamped clay-court circuit before finally hitting the red dirt in Rome. A notable absence from his schedule is Monte Carlo, now downgraded to a non-mandatory Masters 1000 event. Federer is a three-time runner-up in the Monaco capital (2006-2008), losing every time to Rafael Nadal.

    It's quite a contrast to earlier this year where he played Estoril, Monte Carlo, Rome and Hamburg, amassing 18 matches before the French Open, and it indicates that Federer possibly believes he was a little burned out when he finally faced Nadal in the Paris showpiece at the start of June.

    Other than that, Federer's plans are almost identical to previous years, with the addition of another exhibition in Abu Dhabi and then the Qatar Open in Doha in what should be an explosive start to the year with Nadal and Andy Murray also in the field.

    Gael Monfils is taking the preparations for the Australian Open a little more seriously than most players. The Frenchman is heading Down nder as early as this weekend to start acclimatising in the the heat with new coach Roger Rasheed. It's just as well with early forecasts for the tournament predicting a scorching fortnight.

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Comments

I hope he'll be training on clay at least, right? Otherwise there is really no chance for the FO. I mean maybe this could work or maybe he just wants Wimbledon now that he's ... older?

Avalaine , 12/3/08 10:25 PM


I don't think he has ever placed much emphasis on FO. He has ALWAYS said he would prefer Wimby and the US Open. He doesn't need it to be considered the GOAT and we all know hes bin the 2nd best on clay for 3 years. I am just relieved I don't have to sit thru another 5 clay tournaments. Its the most frustrating surface and you can hardly see the ball. Nadal can have it.... just give Rog back Wimbledon!!!

kaitepai , 12/3/08 10:34 PM


You at least want to see it, right? I mean the idea of him winning the FO is like so awesome. Just once... at least to me. I'd prefer Wimbledon though so yeah. That's his Slam after all.

Avalaine , 12/3/08 10:41 PM


Yeah absolutely, it'd be amazing and of course I'd love it. But I do find the clay season long and tedious - endless rallies that I always feel should have ended 10 balls ago, zero aces, pretty much zero vollying, and a barely visable ball. It all makes for very very boring baseline tennis- in my humble opinion. I just can't stand the frustration when a would be winners come crawling back time and time again. Nadal is about the only guy worth watching on clay - at least he makes the matches less than 13 hours long.

kaitepai , 12/3/08 10:59 PM


I agree with Kaitepai..clay takes away the ability to finish points quickly and i really feel it is physically demanding..i kind of support Roger's decision..he's done everything he could to get the French ..and im sure he'd still love to try .but not at the cost of his physical health..But yes,I'd certainly love to see him get atleast one FO trophy..that'll be just absolutely fantastic.

janhavi , 12/4/08 12:53 PM



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