RF Schedule 2019

This year, Roger is not scheduled to play in Rotterdam in February, but he will play Dubai!

From his RF website:

I saw this on his site! that's excellent news!


thanks, Cromar!

Roger to play on clay this year

In his press conference in Melbourne, on 20 January 2019, Roger confirmed that he will play the clay-court season this year. No details about as to tournaments he plans to play, but safe to say that it will include the French Open.

Talking about his decision to play on clay this year: "I'm in a phase where I want to have fun,” Roger said.


Roger Federer last competed on clay at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome in 2016. © Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Image

Source: ATP - Federer Intends To Compete On Clay In 2019 

for now, he would play Dubai, IW, maybe Miami and RG. What do you see him doing on clay?

Well, he'll no doubt play at least one clay tune-up.  Hard to know what he'll choose.  I highly doubt he plays all three clay 1000s.  If he plays Miami - which is at a new venue this year - he might skip MC just so he has more time to practice on clay before a tournament.

Expectations?  I have none.  He's defending nothing so anything will get him points which he desperately needs after the AO.  But I'd be shocked if he does well.  I certainly don't expect him to win a title.

There was talk at one point that  he might play Barcelona... Maybe one M1000  and a smaller tournament... It will depend on what Roger's own expectations are - does he see himself as a contender or did he realize  that last year's long spring break did not pay any dividends and therefore this year  did he decide to play a reduced clay schedule to avoid getting rusty  rather than just practise? It is also weird that he should put the emphasis on " having a good time"  ( "me faire plaisir") rather than trying to maximize his chances for success. To me it sounds like he wants to play certain tournaments again before wrapping up his career - he has always said he loved Rome and I am sure RG holds a peculiar place in his heart given how hard he had to fight in order to win it and it being where he achieved the Career Slam, also because of the  special relationship he has  with the Parisian crowd...
Chances? After three years away from the surface, very few...

Only he knows what he means, or in which direction he has a tendency to go. You could see it right, but no one knows. To me, the direction is more toward a big prize, rather than going after smaller ones. Sure, there are smaller ones that can be played and won, and all to the good. Overall, I would watch out if I were some other players.
A Roger with these skills and knowledge and this kind of movement is someone to be aware of, even afraid.
McEnroe's comments, the John's that is, is the usual. He long ago, along with Fowler and what's his name Koenig, have said very unfit things in the past. Not just objective statements but dismissive statements. So maybe it's just Johnny C's foot in the mouth style, as Roger does not seem to hold anything against him.
I certainly see John Mc as being of two minds: one that truly admires and is breathless about Roger: and another mind that is a bit jealous? maybe, and is thus somewhat pleased at what he sees as something of a bit of a comedown.
When he "teased" Roger during a brief between the matches interview about "drop; shots that ' pulled the guys pants off' is a case in example, and when Roger protested that John did it too, with drop shots, by the way, John said that "But you are better" and that shows where the wind blows from.
John C fails to give himself credit for the times being different, the players somewhat different physically overall, and the power available to them was different, as was the prevalent style of play. He was a lot more talented than a couple of the top players today, but the criteria were different. And that's not Roger's fault. But that is why he seems to be bewitched by the huge hitters like Djoke and Nadal.
Roger said that he loves you, after what you'd just said. I certainly cannot echo him, since you have vexed me endlessly with your remarks and constant chatter. Your brother has better judgment in terms of how someone can be said, but you are better at judging the tennis, but not at drawing 'ultimate' conclusions.
I didn't want to go on this long, but saying that Roger passed the torch to Tsitsipas has not been proven true on the strength of this match, and there are other players on the tour, and then still, some appear brilliant for a while and then the magic fades. Not that I found magic in Tsitsi's play, but very good play.
Never mind, all long suffering friends here....just scroll past.

update of his program

via RF's website:

^^^
Viva!

Nice, although it is a long time away, for me, anyway. Marly, did you change your avatar to Roger at the piano? I like it!

HeartoftheMatter wrote: Marly, did you change your avatar to Roger at the piano? I like it!

I found her pretty cool!

From today's Laver Cup event!

Roger Federer:“I‘m currently in Switzerland before I‘ll travel to Dubai for preparation and practice. I‘m doing the build up here but happy I can spend time with family here, after Dubai I‘ll play IW, Miami and thereafter one or two clay trnmts before RG“ via blick #federer

— Brian (@camerlengo73_2) February 8, 2019

Whoa!  That sounds like a full schedule!

Thanks for this information! Go, Roger!!!

He also said that MC was probably out because it follows too soon after Miami and he'll probably play Madrid or Rome before RG.

Do you think he's going to make a clay court tournament before Roland?


I think, after I can be wrong, but I have the impression that he plays on clay so as not to miss too many matches, rythm for 10 weeks before the grass season. But that's just my opinion!