Roger Federer spotted in Paris ahead of the French Open final between Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud
The 2022 French Open final between Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud on Sunday could feature a surprise guest in the shape of Roger Federer. The 20-time Grand Slam champion has been spotted in Paris ahead of the summit clash, raising hopes that he will be in attendance on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
In photos that have surfaced on social media, the former World No. 1 has been spotted alongside French football coaching legend Arsene Wenger as well as American football cornerback Joe Haden in the City of Love.
Roger and Wenger 😍
Park Hyatt Paris
IG aabk6
instagram.com/p/CeVm1psMqmA/… https://t.co/6RhcD8yhly
Some outlets have reported that the Swiss has been invited by his close friend and arch-rival Nadal on the day he might announce his retirement, going by his recent comments in press conferences. But the chances of that are very low, since both of the Mallorcan's coaches, Marc Lopez and Carlos Moya, have shot down such claims without hesitation.
Roger the boss!! 🎾 https://t.co/nJhOkcFVkD
The 21-time Grand Slam champion's PR team has also confirmed that he isn't entertaining ideas of retirement at the moment. They have gone as far as to claim that Nadal will try his best to participate in the upcoming Wimbledon Championships, even without any ranking points at stake.
As for the French Open final, it will mark the first ever meeting between Nadal and Ruud on the ATP tour. While the Spaniard will be looking to extend his lead over Federer in the Slam race with a 22nd Grand Slam title, the Norwegian is on the hunt for his first Major.
#RolandGarros Singles Final Media Notes: atptour.com/en/media/daily…
* @RafaelNadal, 36, would be oldest @RolandGarros men's champion
* Nadal: 13-0 in RG finals (All 3 or 4 sets)
* @CasperRuud98, 23, would be youngest Grand Slam men's champion since @DelPotroJuan, 20, at 2009 @USOpen
A victory for the World No. 5 would make him the oldest champion at the French Open. A win for the World No. 8, on the other hand, would make him the youngest Grand Slam winner since Juan Martin del Potro in 2009.
Roger Federer has 4 losses and only 1 win in finals at the French Open
Roger Federer doesn't enjoy great memories of French Open Sundays. In five appearances in the summit clash at Roland Garros, the 40-year-old has lost on four occasions and won only once.
All of those losses came against Rafael Nadal (2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011), with the sole win coming against Robin Soderling in the 2009 edition.
The French Open is the former World No. 1's least successful Grand Slam tournament, with only one title in 19 appearances. Federer has won at least five titles in each of the other three Slams -- five at the US Open (19 appearances), six at the Australian Open (21 appearances) and eight at the Wimbledon Championships (22 appearances).