Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have not met since Wimbledon 2019. Since the early stages of the previous season, the Swiss has been struggling with a knee injury, skipping nearly 13 months and undergoing two surgeries in February and May last year. .
In March, Roger returned to action in Doha, playing two games and taking another break before taking the pitch in Geneva this week. Competing in his third match since January last year, Federer built a 4-2 lead in the deciding set against Pablo Andujar in the second round before dropping four straight games to propel the opponent to the quarters.
Seeking form and matches before Halle and Wimbledon, Federer will try his luck at Roland Garros in June, returning to Paris for the first time in two years and hoping for another deep run as in 2019. Roland Garros tournament director Guy Forget believes that Roland Garros will help Roger develop his confidence and form before the grassy tour where he wants to chase titles.
Forget also mentioned that Federer could meet his old rival, Rafael Nadal, in the second week, which would be huge for all tennis fans. Nadal and Federer had met five times in Paris between 2005-2011, and Federer won just four sets in total.
After eight years, Rafa and Roger were once again rivals on Parisian clay in the semi-finals two years ago. Rafa beat Roger 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 25 minutes, advancing to the 12th final at Roland Garros.
It was Nadal’s fourteenth victory on clay against Federer in 16 matches and the tenth in 13 major encounters, advancing towards the title clash against Dominic Thiem. Losing the previous five duels against Roger and seeking the first victory since the 2014 Australian Open, Rafa was determined to finally overcome a great rival and extend his Parisian dominance, securing the 92nd win in 94 matches in his favorite tournament.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will compete at the next Roland Garros.
Nadal hit 33 winners and 19 unforced errors, facing four break opportunities and breaking just twice to increase pressure on the other side.
Roger needed much more than that to challenge the best clay court player in his first semi-final in Paris since 2012, shooting 25 winners and 34 errors on a windy day. The Spaniard took advantage of six of the 16 break opportunities to control the scoreboard, defending superbly and finding an open court from challenging positions to neutralize Roger’s attacks and keep the Swiss out of the comfort zone.
Nadal and Federer will be among the top eight seeds, with a possible clash between two tennis giants in the quarterfinal round or later. “Roger Federer competing at Roland Garros seems logical to me.
It will allow you to test yourself and your current level. Clay is a living surface that requires you to be precise in everything you do. The better Federer plays at Roland Garros, the better he will be at Wimbledon.
If Rafael Nadal had not existed, Roger Federer would have won five or six Roland Garros titles, of that I am sure. We could see the clash between Nadal and Federer in the second week, “said Guy Forget.
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