Can Roger Federer lift the Roland Garros trophy in 2015?
Although the experts usually can’t see beyond Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic when it comes to predicting French Open champions, this time around Roger Federer might just be the low-profile dark horse at Roland Garros. Ranked No. 2, a rung below Djokovic, Federer has been on a good run in the season up to now, beating the Serb in Dubai and then losing to him in the Indian Wells final in three sets.
“King of Clay” yet to impress this season
The King of Clay Rafael Nadal will try for the “La Decima” of RG titles, but given his current woes, he may not be the hot favourite to strike gold at the French Open this year. Nadal has failed to beat any top 10 player this season. Last year wasn’t a good clay season for the Spaniard either relative to the success that he has traditionally enjoyed on the tour in the clay season.
In 2014, Nadal lost to David Ferrer in Monte Carlo, to Nicolas Almagro in Barcelona and to Djokovic in Rome. The Spaniard only managed to win the Madrid title after Kei Nishikori retired with a back injury. But he stiil got his hands on the big prize, Roland Garros, where he beat Djokovic to lift the trophy for the ninth time.
This year, however, the prospects look even gloomier for Nadal as he has had a distinctly below average season. He lost to Tomas Berdych in the quarters at the Australian Open, after going out in the first round at Doha. Even on his beloved clay, he suffered a shock defeat to Fabio Fognini in the semis of the Rio Open. He put up a dull show in Inidan Wells and Miami, failing to progress past the quarterfinals in either tournament.
The only consolation for Nadal this season has been his win at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires. Moreover, statements from him and his coach, Toni Nadal, have seemingly been designed to lower the expectations from Nadal in the clay season.
On the other hand, Djokovic is more motivated than ever to lift the trophy at Roland Garros, the only Grand Slam missing from his trophy cabinet. He has been having a great season, to say the least; he has clinched the Australian Open and the Indian Wells-Miami double.
Having lost to Nadal each of the last three years at Roland Garros, Djokovic has been vocal about his ambitions to break his red dust jinx in Paris.
Federer entering the clay season in good form
Federer, on the other hand, is driven and has been performing well. While he may not usually be considered one of the top contenders at Roland Garros, the absence of expectations might be exactly what he needs.
Federer reached the Monte Carlo final last year, where he lost to compatriot Stan Wawrinka in three tight sets. The 17-time Grand Slam champion then lost to Jeremy Chardy in Rome before being knocked out in the fourth round of the French Open by Ernests Gulbis.
But there’s no question that Federer’s biggest stumbling block in Paris has been Nadal, who has defeated the Swiss as many as five times there. And with the Spaniard not in the best nick lately, this may well be Federer’s best chance to take home trophy for the second time.
The World No. 2 plays Monte Carlo, Rome and the inaugural Istanbul Open (ATP 250) in the run-up to Roland Garros this season. That’s quite a lot of claycourt prepration!