Roger Federer Confirms Madrid Masters • ATP Tennis Clay-Court Season

By Ricky Dimon

Roger Federer already confirmed following his Australian Open fourth-round loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas that he would play on clay this season for the first time since 2016. That obviously includes the French Open, but Federer also announced on Wednesday that the Mutua Madrid Open is on his schedule.

 

The 37-year-old Swiss last played on the red stuff at the 2016 Rome Masters, where he fell to Dominic Thiem during third-round action.

 

“Federer is one of the best players of all time; it’s no secret”, said tournament director Feliciano Lopez. “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 (Novak) Djokovic and (Rafael) Nadal is going to be unmissable.”

 

“Roger’s presence in the Caja Magica will make this year’s Mutua Madrid Open special,” tournament honorary president Manolo Santana assured. “It doesn’t matter that he’s 37 because he still has that unmistakable class. The innate talent that has made him one of the best of all time. Being able to enjoy his tennis is something that no fan of the sport should miss.”

 

Federer has triumphed at this Masters 1000 event in Madrid on three occasions (2006, 2009, and 2012)–quite an impressive accomplishment in the Nadal era. Eleven of his 99 career titles have come on clay, including the 2009 French Open.

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.