The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Federer looking ahead to French Open

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 02, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Federer looking ahead to French Open

WASHINGTON: Roger Federer is hardly dismayed by his Australian Open showing. Indeed, he scoffs at those who talk about his loss there as if it came in an early round rather than the semifinals.

Sure, when asked on Thursday about what happened in Melbourne, the No. 1-ranked Federer made a passing reference to “small regrets,” such as wishing he’d managed to successfully serve out the first set of his defeat to eventual tournament champion Novak Djokovic.

Federer, though, is really focusing on the future — particularly on his next chances to add to a career total of 12 Grand Slam singles championships, two shy of Pete Sampras’ record.

Tough schedule

“It’s important to look forward. The bigger picture for me is now looking forward to a very, very tough schedule ahead, with the French Open, Wimbledon, Olympics and the U.S. Open.

“That’s going to be an interesting time,” Federer said in a conference call to promote his March 10 exhibition match against Sampras at Madison Square Garden.

“That’s what I’m saving myself for now. Going to get back on the practice court and get ready for that.”

Will that preparation — including for Roland Garros, the only major he’s never won — include working with a coach? Federer hasn’t really had one since parting ways with Tony Roche last spring.

He’ll sit down in February and try to arrive at a decision. One possibility would be to continue to have Switzerland’s Davis Cup captain Serevin Luethi travel with him regularly, while also having more experienced coaches drop in from time to time for added help. — AP

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport