Roger Federer to Participate in Only Two Clay-Court Tournaments before French Open 2009

(This entry was originally posted in this blog on Monday, December 3, 2008 and the information is based on that time.)

Former world no. 1 Roger Federer saw many ups and downs in 2008 and he seems to be very strategic from now on. The Swiss tennis star has cut back his clay-court event in 2009. Federer will take part only in 2 clay-court tournament before participating in French Open 2009. French Open is the only grand slam tournament played on clay-court and Federer has not won any French Open title yet. There is no doubt, clay-court is his least favorite surface. So, he has decided that he would take part in the Masters Series events in Rome and Madrid.

The Canadian Press reported:

“I am really pleased with the season the way we have planned it and I am looking forward to an exciting year,” Federer said.

The Swiss star had a tough 2008 season marred by illness and a back injury. He surrendered his Wimbledon title and No. 1 ranking to Nadal, but won the U.S. Open for his 13th Grand Slam title.

Federer’s agent, Tony Godsick, told The Associated Press in October that the Swiss star would play a 2009 schedule “that works for him physically.”

Roger Federer would not want to lose much of his strength on clay-court where he was never successful. Rather, Federer would like to retain the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles, besides continuing his success in US Open. He needs 2 more grand slam titles to become the all-time leading grand slam winner in men’s tennis. So, Roger Federer has become choosy about tournaments in order to ensure enough physical rest next year.