Roger Federer is the defending champion at this year’s Madrid Masters, but after opting to take six weeks off following Indian Wells, can he win it again?Here’s 5 reasons why.
Defending Champion
The infamous blue clay may be long gone, but Federer will still be enjoying plenty of positive vibes as he arrives in Madrid this year. 12 months ago, the Swiss swept to victory while the pre-tournament favorites tumbled all around him and his success sparked a run of form which saw him win a seventh Wimbledon title and reclaim the world No. 1 ranking.Federer always plays best at tournaments where he holds good memories. Just look at his record in Cincinnati and at the ATP World Tour Finals over the years.
Refreshed and Rejuvenated
Federer is one of those players who doesn’t need plenty of matches in order to produce his best tennis. He turned up at the Australian Open after no warm-up events and still made the semi-finals.He said he needed time off to work on his game and get refreshed ahead of his title at a second Roland Garros title. Expect him to return rejuvenated and perhaps with some new tactics in his armory.
Favorable Conditions
Federer prefers competing in Madrid to say Rome and even Monte Carlo because the balls tend to fly through the air a little faster and the court is bouncier, which gives the more attacking players a bit of an advantage.Proving a Point
After the Australian Open, many were writing Federer off once again, believing that he can no longer compete against Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray at their best. And since Rafael Nadal has returned to the tour, he’s largely been forgotten.However, while Federer may not have the consistency to beat them week-in and week-out, on his day he’s still more than a match for them as Djokovic has found at the French Open and Wimbledon in the past couple of years.
Federer Is Better On Clay Courts Than Hard Courts
These days, Federer has more of a chance of winning big titles on the natural surfaces. Djokovic and Murray are so solid on hard courts, it’s tough for him to upset their hitting rhythm.But on clay, it’s easier for him to maneuver them around and mix things up. It’s telling that aside from Wimbledon, Federer’s only Grand Slam final appearance since 2010 has come at the French Open.
[tps_footer]Written by David Cox from Live-Tennis.com.[/tps_footer]
