Former world's no.1 Roger Federer is carefully weighing his option ahead of the 2016 French Open championships, including the possibility of skipping the clay-court Grand Slam tourney.
Federer revealed in the post-match press conference following his 7-6, 6-4 loss to up-and-coming Austrian netter Dominic Thiem that he has remained optimistic he can pull it through just in time for Roland Garros.
Still, he hasn't rule out the possibility of skipping the event if injuries, particularly in his back, continues to hamper his preparation in the succeeding days.
'As of now, clearly the way I'm playing right now is never going to be enough for any good run in Paris, and then I also wouldn't play this way. I'm still confident I will be fine somehow. I think, seven to nine days how I can really play in Paris,' Federer said of his current form via Tennis World.
It's clear Federer hasn't reached his form before he suffered a knee injury four months ago. Although he stressed the injury has never been an issue for him, the lack of clay-court preparation and matches against elite opponents definitely derailed his gameplan this season.
Despite the said challenges, Federer was able to reach the quarterfinal round of the Monte Carlo Masters and Rome Masters. Federer was originally scheduled to compete at the Madrid Masters but had to withdraw due to a lingering back injury.
Federer, 34, is still gunning for his 18th career Grand Slam and first since the 2012 Wimbledon Open championship. He had a big plan entering the 2016 season as he set sight for one of the four Grand Slams titles and the elusive men's singles gold at the Rio Olympics this August.