Tennis news - Roger Federer confirms clay court return after two-year absence
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Updated 20/02/2019 at 11:22 GMT
Roger Federer confirmed his participation for this year's Madrid Open on Wednesday, marking his return to the European clay court season after two years away.
Swiss tennis champion Roger Federer is welcomed by supporters as he arrives for a press conference on February 8, 2019 in Geneva, ahead of the Laver Cup tournament that will take place in Geneva next September.
Image credit: Eurosport
The 20-times Grand Slam champion has not played this year since his Australian Open defeat by Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last 16 last month.
Federer, whose sole French Open title came in 2009, has preferred to skip the European clay season over the last two seasons to manage his schedule.
The 37-year-old Swiss is the second most successful player at the Caja Magica behind Rafa Nadal, winning three titles in 2006, 2009 and 2012.
"Federer is one of the best players of all time, it's no secret," tournament director Feliciano Lopez said in a statement.
"We are happy because his return to Madrid is a gift to the tournament, but above all the fans will be able to see a unique player in the Caja Magica.
"Having the Swiss player back on clay with Djokovic and Nadal is going to be unmissable."
World number one Novak Djokovic and 11-times French Open winner Nadal are also expected to feature at the Madrid Open, which will be played from May 3-12.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement