Roger Federer has a realistic approach at the French Open after a season that featured the Swiss Maestro in limited action.
Despite the knee injury that caused him to be sidelined for more than two months, Federer still believes he has a chance to hoist the trophy in this year's French Open in Paris.
But the 34-year-old Swiss is not entirely sold at being one of the handful of favorites to win Roland Garros, admitting that a favorable draw could help in his bid for an 18th Grand Slam title.
"I don't think I have zero chance to lift the title at Roland Garros. I think if the draw is in my favor, if I'm playing well, I'll have my chances," Federer told Spanish media outlet Marca as translated by Tennis.
Federer has never won a Grand Slam event ever since he defeated world No. 2 Andy Murray at Wimbledon in 2012. In all of Federer's major titles, he only conquered Roland Garros once back in 2009, when Federer defeated Robin Soderling in the final round.
This year, Federer may not have the same chances of winning the French Open, with the Swiss coming off a knee surgery that saw him starting the season on a winless campaign. Moreover, Federer will not have much competition leading up to Paris, which could keep him sharp just in time for the second Grand Slam event of the year.
It is likely that Federer enters the major event as the third seed, which puts him in position to face world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Evidently, possibly facing a player who has been dominating the tennis scene in the past two seasons is not a favorable draw, although Djokovic's slight dip of form could be Federer's silver lining at the French Open.
But despite the setbacks, Federer feels he is "ready to win a major again" along with the urgency to realize his goals this year.
"From the French Open [in May] to September, I would like to feel well because there is much at stake, dreams to realize and titles to win. I do not want to play many events, but enough to feel competitive. After the operation my mind feels like I have to arrive in full form at Roland Garros," Federer said.
Federer's most recent outing at the Monte Carlo Masters was only to test the water for his newly repaired knee. But even at full health heading into the French Open, Federer faces an uphill battle, with career rivals Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in full swing to hit the clay-surfaces of the Stade Roland Garros.