Roger Federer slipping back to No. 3 in the world rankings may have affected sorely affected his odds at winning another major title in Paris.
Federer regressed back as world No. 3 in the Emirates ATP rankings only few days after reaching the second spot in the men's tennis overall leaderboard. Andy Murray's title-clinching victory over Novak Djokovic at the Italian Open helped in the change of rankings, with the Scot garnering 8,435 points overall ahead of Federer's 7,015 points.
With the latest update in the ATP rankings, Federer, who remains without a title this year, falls back at entering the French Open as the third seed, which potentially means another tough draw to reach the final round of the second Grand Slam event of the year.
While it is undetermined yet who Federer could face in the early rounds, it is almost certain the 34-year-old Swiss would meet another major roadblock in his bid for an 18th Grand Slam title with a possible semifinal clash against Djokovic. That it is to say if Federer could avoid yet another slip up on the clay courts like the defeats he suffered in Monte Carlo and Rome against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Dominic Thiem, respectively.
But amid the losing-slump this season, which is partly because of his limited time in competition due to a knee surgery, Federer is still positive positive about his chances at Roland Garros. Despite losing yet another match that could have been monumental for Federer's bid to comeback in the tennis scene, the Swiss is optimistic he could do well at the French Open if he could have enough practice on clay-courts.
"I have a lot of hours on the clay already this year," Federer said, reports Tennis Now.
"Maybe not on match courts but on practice courts. I actually thought I could really do a good result in Paris. Now the last couple of weeks it's been more difficult. I see my chances as, you know, as not great to have the most unbelievable run, but if maybe in three, four days I can practice 100 percent for next week, then I believe that something is possible again."
Federer is set to visit Paris ahead of the clay-season finale to test his fitness, according to Tennis World USA. This offers good news for fans to witness Federer, who has seemingly been out of form ever since recovering from a knee operation.
There are concerns whether the 17-time Grand Slam winner could withstand the physicality needed in playing a five-setter, especially on clay surface, but that is something fans need to confirm once the tournament starts.
"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." Federer said following his defeat in Rome.