‘Outsider’ Roger Federer: I felt on edge at the start, my heart was beating crazily

He concedes he is “an outsider” in terms of winning the title, but Roger Federer was delighted to return to Roland Garros after a four-year absence.
After suffering a serious knee injury in 2016, the Swiss great opted to take a hiatus from the clay-court season in order to prolong his career.
However, at the start of this year he decided to give the red dirt another go and he opened his2019 French Open campaign with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 win over Lorenzo Sonego on the revamped Court Philippe Chatrier.
The 37-year-old, though, revealed he was slightly nervous at the start.
“I missed it so much so thanks for the welcome,” he said. “I felt on edge at the start, my heart was beating crazily. I felt great playing on this court. It looks great and attractive, so congratulations to everyone involved.
“Hopefully I can play here again for my next match.”
After explaining his reasoning behind his decision to skip the clay-court season, he admitted that he is an outsider to win the title with 11-time champion Rafael Nadal and world No 1 Novak Djokovic ahead of him in the queue.
“The goal was always to play every year and then what happened with the knee and the back in ’16, ’17, ’18 I just felt for my health maybe it was better not to do it,” he said of his decision to cut the event from his schedule.
“And all of a sudden these years go by, and you haven’t played. Now I’m very happy I took that decision.”
He added: “It’s nice to be an outsider. That’s how I feel, anyhow. I know when Wimbledon comes around, I’ll be probably a higher favourite. That’s okay, too.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
-
French Open 2019: Tennis365 writers cast their predictions for Roland Garros
-
Five Roland Garros contenders: Rafael Nadal still very much the boss at French Open
-
Five Roland Garros contenders: Kiki Bertens primed to make her breakthrough
-
French Open betting preview: Bookies can’t see past the King of Clay Rafael Nadal in Paris
-
Latest
-
Tennis News
Full transcript of Taylor Fritz’s tongue-in-cheek comment about Novak Djokovic after he got ‘ripped’ by fan
Taylor Fritz’s joke about Novak Djokovic didn’t go down well with one fan.
-
US Open
Rafael Nadal will be ‘fired up’ at US Open says pundit – ‘You can never, ever write him off’
Rafael Nadal backed to come good at the US Open.
-
ATP Tour
ATP Rankings: Carlos Alcaraz knocking on the No 2 door, Cameron Norrie eyes No 8
Plenty of movement in the ATP Rankings.
-
News
Play with the legendary Bryan brothers at amazing All Court Tennis Club event
This is a real bucket list opportunity.
-
ATP Tour
Stefanos Tsitsipas’ father courts controversy again: ‘Tell me one person who likes his father’
Stefanos Tsitsipas’ father hits the headlines again for the wrong reason.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu still figuring out her perfect game, but plenty of positives and no more getting pushed around
Three wins in a row elude Emma Raducanu yet again, but things are looking up ahead of the US Open.
-
ATP Tour
Cameron Norrie sets up Carlos Alcaraz clash as he sails back into top 10 in rankings
Double delight for Cameron Norrie as he reaches quarters in Cincy and climbs back into top 10.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu’s Cincy run ended by Jessica Pegula, but American impressed by teen’s wins big wins
There was no third-round joy for Emma Raducanu with Jessica Pegula walking away victorious.
-
WTA Tour
Madison Keys stuns Iga Swiatek for first win over reigning World No 1
Madison Keys swept to a straight sets victory against Swiatek, who looked far from her best.
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev to face home hope Taylor Fritz in Cincy last eight
Daniil Medvedev is set for a first competitive meeting with Taylor Fritz.