Roger Federer admitted he has been "awfully rusty" in his first tournament back from injury, but the Swiss Maestro has earned added optimism heading into Wimbledon, which kicks off later this month.
Federer has had a rusty start to the grass-court season following his recovery from a back injury that forced him to skip the French Open last month. The 34-year-old only managed to reach the semifinal round of the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart after losing to Austrian Dominic Thiem 6-3 7-6(9) 4-6, but despite the loss that kept him without a title this season, Federer gained the needed positivity as he approaches the third Grand Slam event of the year.
"I would think that everything comes more naturally on the grass. It was important in Stuttgart to play breakers and set points and match points, to get my body ready for that," Federer said, reports Wimbledon's official website.
"Practice doesn't go there, only matches can prepare you for that, with the nerves ahead of matches, rain delays, I had it all last week. It was a really good week. I'm more optimistic now than if I hadn't played Stuttgart and come here without any matches or wins. So we'll see now where it takes me."
The last time Federer won a major tournament was at Wimbledon in 2012, when he defeated Andy Murray in straight sets. In the last two years, the Swiss made consecutive trip to the Finals only to be bested by career rival Novak Djokovic, who is closely catching up with Federer's 17 majors and Rafael Nadal's 14 Grand Slam singles titles.
Federer's final chance to test his winning form ahead of Wimbledon will only be at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, which is set to start this week, with the world No. 3 opening against Jan-Lennard Struff. The top-seeded Federer, who aims for a fourth-straight title in Halle, will have a chance to face tennis' next generation stars, including Thiem who has already beaten him twice this year.
It may not hurt Federer to lose another match in his next competition, but it would certainly be monumental for Federer's confidence if he could approach Wimbledon on a winning note.