Roger Federer has committed to play at the Mutua Madrid Open in May, which will mark his return to the European clay-court swing for the first time since 2016. The Swiss superstar is a winner of three titles at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in 2006, 2009 and 2012.
“Federer is one of the best players of all time, it’s no secret”, said Feliciano Lopez, the Tournament Director of the Mutua Madrid Open. “We are happy because his return to Madrid is a gift to the tournament, but above all the fans will be able to see a unique player in the Caja Magica. Having the Swiss player back on clay with [Novak] Djokovic and [Rafael] Nadal is going to be unmissable.”
Manolo Santana, the tournament’s Honorary President, said “Roger’s presence in the Caja Magica will make this year’s Mutua Madrid Open special. It doesn’t matter that he’s 37 because he still has that unmistakable class; the innate talent that has made him one of the best of all time. Being able to enjoy his tennis is something that no fan of the sport should miss.”
The 37-year-old Federer last competed at a clay-court tournament in May 2016 at the International BNL d’Italia in Rome, where he lost to Dominic Thiem in the third round. Eleven of his 99 career trophies have come on clay courts (214-68 match record).
In his most recent match on 20 January, 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Federer in the Australian Open fourth round. Federer will attempt to lift his eighth trophy at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships next week.
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