Roger Federer Makes A Statement Of Injury At The French Open: "I am Fully Recovered"

Last Thursday, Federer won consecutive games against Joao Sousa and Borna Coric at the Italian Open to reach the quarterfinals.

But on Friday, just hours before he faced Stefanos Tsitsipas, it was announced that Federer had retired from the tournament due to an injury to his right leg.

Federer had revealed before the game that he had hurt his foot and leg by sliding into the wet baseline against Coric. The Swiss dissipated concerns about the possibility of losing the French Open when he practiced at the newly renovated Philippe Chatrier Tribunal for the first time in four years on Tuesday.

That night, Federer was on a star-studded list that included actors Natalie Portman and Uma Thurman at a Moet & Chandon event at Chateau de Saran. The 37-year-old was asked about his leg and he replied: "I'm completely recovered." And the champion of the 2009 French Open said he was delighted to return to Paris for the clay court Grand Slam.

"I am incredibly happy to return to Roland-Garros, I have not played the French Open in three years," he said. "The expectations of the audience are high, but I'm trying to calm things down because I think it's going to be difficult.

"But things went well for me in Rome and in Madrid, so I'm really very satisfied." The French Open this year marks ten years since Federer won his only title in Paris.

And tennis expert Mark Petchey feels that Federer is in a group of four men behind Rafael Nadal to win the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy. "I still have Rafa as a favorite," Petchey told ITV Sport.

"The size of the court along with its reputation has enormous advantages. "I feel that certain players feel they can beat him, which changes the dynamic course inward. "Thiem, Djokovic and Fognini have great shots this year along with Federer."

Federer's all-court game and versatile style of play involve exceptional footwork and shot making. Effective both as a base-liner and a volleyer, his apparent effortlessness and efficient movement on the court have made Federer highly popular among tennis fans. He has received the tour Sportsmanship Award 13 times and been named the ATP Player of the Year and ITF World Champion five times. He has won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award a record five times, including four consecutive awards from 2005 to 2008 and the most recent one in 2018. He is also the only individual to have won the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year award four times.

Federer's game on all courts and the versatile style of play involve footwork and taking exceptional pictures. Effective both as a base player and volleyball player, his apparent effort and efficient movement on the court have made Federer very popular among tennis fans. He received the Sportsmanship Award 13 times and was named ATP Player of the Year and ITF World Champion five times. He has won the Laureus World Athlete of the Year award a record five times, including four consecutive awards from 2005 to 2008 and the most recent in 2018. He is also the only one to have won the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year award four times.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1130757/Roger-Federer-French-Open-leg-injury