Top
Roger Federer Australian Open 2020
Roger Federer, Tennis News

‘Roger Federer is still a threat to win a big tournament’, warns Patrick McEnroe


Patrick McEnroe said Roger Federer can still win big tournaments but believes the Swiss great does not realistically think he can win the French Open.

McEnroe – a former doubles world No. 3 – is now a commentator and analyst for ESPN.

Federer will return to action at the ATP 250 tournament in Geneva in May, before playing Roland Garros.

“He wouldn’t be showing up to play (the French Open) if he didn’t think he could play well,” McEnroe told Reuters. “But I don’t think he is realistically going there thinking he could win the tournament.

“Even when Roger was at his highest level he was the second best clay court player in the world, which is saying something. I don’t think we can say that right now, especially coming off such a long layoff.

“But his expectations are certainly to go there and play well and make a little bit of a run. He’s still a threat to win a big tournament.

“I never underestimate greatness and he’s great, one of the greatest, if not the greatest of all time. He just loves the game. He loves to play.

“I don’t think he plays with the sole intention of ‘I’m going to play to try and win every tournament’ and I think that’s part of his popularity and part of his sustainability.”


By
0

Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.