Roger Federer (Photo : Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports/ REUTERS)
Former world’s no.1 and 17-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer has kept an optimistic outlook for the remainder of the clay-court season despite getting booted out early at the Monte Carlo Masters this week.
Federer, who succumbed to French veteran Gael Monfils 6-4, 7-5 in the third round, admitted that he was a bit disappointed for crashing out early in his first big tournament of the clay-court season, although he thinks he has a lot of time left to make a serious campaign on the red dirt.
“It's the very beginning of the clay court season.” Federer told the press via ATP News. “It's going to take me some time to feel 100 per cent comfortable... Not many guys are perfect this week. But it was a good week for me anyways to come here and practise with the best, play a couple of matches.
The 33-year old Federer added that Monfils’ terrific play last Thursday wasn’t surprising, given the caliber of the Frenchman especially on his favorite surface. However, he thinks he could have played a better game with consistency in his service and more fluid all-around offense.
“There are many things I could have done better. I could have served better. I could have mixed it up a bit better. Also I didn't play my slice backhand well enough,” Federer stressed.
After four trips at the Monte Carlo Finals, the Swiss once again missed a chance to add the trophy that has been elusive for him throughout his career. Federer had a chance to finally win it last season, but his compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka pulled off a comeback to spoil his goal.
