Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka (Photo : Getty Images)
Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer are ready for some tennis action in the upcoming Madrid Open at the Caja Magica next week.
Wawrinka, No. 4 in the world rankings, heads into Madrid in hopes of realigning his clay-season campaign following his quarterfinal loss at the Monte Carlo Masters against Rafael Nadal.
The Swiss No. 2, who has won two titles this season at the Chennai Open and Dubai, has not found any success in his last three outings, including a second round loss at the Miami Open against world No. 51 Andrey Kuznetsov. His clay-season did not begin well either, with Wawrinka losing his quarterfinal clash against Nadal at the Monte Carlo Masters.
But despite the mini-losing slump, Wawrinka seems upbeat in playing on clay-tournaments, where he won a major title after beating Novak Djokovic in the final round of last year's Roland Garros.
"Of course I am happy every year to return to clay. It's a surface that I love. I'm happy with my progress in training so far," Wawrinka said prior to his Monte Carlo Masters campaign, reports the ATP's official website.
A win at the Madrid Open would be huge confidence boost for Wawrinka, who defends his French Open title in Paris next month. However, the road to a Madrid Open glory may not be easy for the 31-year-old, with his compatriot Federer set to join as star-studded ATP 1000 Masters event.
After pondering for a few days of whether to compete a tournament before the French Open, Federer has finally made his decision to join Wawrinka and the rest of the Big Four on the red clay-courts of the Madrid Open. Federer will attempt for a fourth Madrid Open title this year, but may face an uphill climb to hoist the trophy, with career rivals Djokovic, Andy Murray and Nadal also competing.
Federer's performance will once again be monitored following his quarterfinal loss against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Monaco, his first competition after being sidelined for more two months by a knee surgery that repaired a meniscal tear in his left knee.
But Federer seems to be in good spirits heading into his next tournament as he reveals his huge plans for the rest of the season.
"I do not want to play many tournaments, but enough to feel competitive," Federer said.
"After the surgery my mind feels like I have to arrive in full form at Roland Garros."
