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ROGER FEDERER

Federer makes winning return to court in Spain

Switzerland's Roger Federer made a winning return after a two-month absence from the court as he cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 win over Radek Stepanek to move into the third round of the Madrid Open on Tuesday.

Published: 7 May 2013 21:50 CEST

Federer makes winning return to court in Spain

Federer back in form at Madrid Open. Photo: Javier Soriano/AFP

A solitary break in the fourth game was enough for the Swiss world No.2 to take the first-set 6-3.

And he looked set to storm through the second as he served for the match with a double break at 5-2 in the second.

However, Stepanek then showed some resistance to break the record 17-time Grand Slam champion for the only time in the match.

The Czech's fightback didn't last long though as Federer broke again in the very next game to seal a third round tie against either Japan's Kei Nishikori or Viktor Troicki of Serbia.

Federer's Swiss colleague, Stanislas Wawrinka, ranked number 15 in the world, continued his fine form after winning the Portugal Open last week with a comfortable 6-4, 6-4 win over Romanian qualifier Marius Copil.

Andy Murray also claimed a victory but was made to struggle at times by World No.26 Florian Mayer, before coming through in two tie-breaks.

Mayer was made to rue numerous opportunities to have taken the first set as he passed up five set points in the tie-break before world No.3 Murray made sure with a crosscourt forehand on his second set-point.

The German surged ahead at the start of the second set and led 4-1 before Murray broke back for the first time in the match at 4-2 to force the game into a second tie-break.

And the Briton was far more dominant at the second time of asking as he began to read Mayer's serve to good effect and wrapped up the tie-break 7-3 to move into round three, where he will meet France's Gilles Simon.

Earlier, Serbian World No.9 Janko Tipsarevic became the first seed in the men's event to fall on Tuesday morning as he was beaten by clay court specialist Juan Monaco 7-5, 6-3.

And eighth seed Richard Gasquet also suffered an early exit as the Frenchman was beaten 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 by Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver.

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Is this the end of the road for Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer?

Is it the end of the line for Roger? Photo: Martin BUREAU / AFP

The 20-time Grand Slam winner announced on Wednesday that he would be sidelined until 2021 after his second operation in a matter of months.

Federer remains upbeat, tweeting: “I plan to take the necessary time to be 100 percent ready to play at my highest level.”

In some ways 2020 is a good season to miss after the coronavirus ravaged the tennis schedule. Writing Federer off in the past has proved dangerous.

He returned from a six-month injury lay-off to claim the Australian Open in 2017, winning his eighth Wimbledon crown later that year.

But he will be 40 in 2021 and is now heading into uncharted territory.

Despite his groaning trophy cabinet, there are two factors that will motivate Federer to keep going — the risk of losing his grip on the men's Grand Slam title record and a missing Olympics singles gold medal.

Rafael Nadal has 19 majors, just one shy of Federer's mark and Djokovic has 17.

Spain's Nadal will be fancied to draw level with Federer at the French Open, rescheduled for September, while few would bet against Djokovic winning in New York weeks earlier.

In April, Federer said he was “devastated” when Wimbledon was cancelled for the first time since World War II. Last year he fell agonisingly short at the All England Club, failing to convert two championship points on his own serve against Djokovic.

The Wimbledon grass probably remains his best chance of adding to his Grand Slam collection — he has not won the US Open since 2008 and his only title at Roland Garros came in 2009.

Even though Federer has slipped from the very pinnacle of the game, he is still a major threat to Nadal and Djokovic.

'Golden' ambitions

Last year, the world number four had a 53-10 win-loss record and he reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open in January in his only tournament this year.

Federer, who is still six ATP titles short of Jimmy Connors' all-time record of 109, has one glaring omission from his CV — the Olympic title.

The Swiss won doubles gold in Beijing in 2008 with compatriot Stan Wawrinka but lost in the singles final to Andy Murray in London four years later.

The postponed Tokyo Games will almost certainly be Federer's last opportunity to complete a career “golden” Grand Slam — he will turn 40 on the day of the closing ceremony next year.

Tennis will feel the loss of the elegant Federer keenly when he walks off the court for the last time.

Djokovic and Nadal have been the dominant forces in recent years but the Swiss remains the biggest draw and last month topped Forbes' list of the world's highest-earning athletes.

His last appearance on court was in front of nearly 52,000 fans — touted by organisers as a world record for tennis — at a charity match against Nadal in Cape Town in February.

Federer is nearly always the crowd favourite wherever he plays and has proved a perfect ambassador for the sport since he won his first Grand Slam title in 2003.

He certainly expects to be back and competitive next year.

“I will be missing my fans and the tour dearly but I will look forward to seeing everyone back on tour at the start of the 2021 season,” he tweeted.

The avalanche of support from his adoring fans showed they would miss him too, but they will have to get used to a time when he is gone for good.

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