Roger Federer set to play ‘special’ final match of career on Friday with Rafael Nadal in Swiss city
Rafael Nadal will be the final man to play on the clay surface at Roland Garros, after a decade on the surface.
Federer, meanwhile, will play his last match in the city in a match that will mark his 20th grand slam final, since moving to the French capital for a fourth time.
Federer in action (Getty)
It comes after a year which was dominated by the injury which ended his 2016 campaign and led his return in 2017 to an even slower and less focused form of the tennis.
The 38-year-old Federer says he is feeling “great to play again” – but he says he’s not sure if he’s ready.
“I haven’t really been focused that much, as I am very busy with the ATP or the US Open and I have no time to think about this tournament,” Federer said on the eve of his home clay season.
“I feel good, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to play, especially because the last week I have experienced a little bit of pain in my right thigh.
Federer on how 2018 has compared to his 2016 Wimbledon (Getty)
“So I really don’t know if I’m ready to play, but I am going to play anyway, so I have no problems.
“I haven’t really been focused at all, I have had a lot of time to think about what happened last year. I’m still struggling a bit to be on the court again.
“But tennis is not easy and maybe this year it will be a little bit easier to play than in 2017.”
Roland Garros 2018 final schedule (Getty)
The Swiss has not lost since losing in a quarter-final to Novak Djokovic in March 2016.
If he can avoid the defeat to the South African star – his only clay grand slam final defeat – the five-time and defending champion could have reached 10 grand slam titles.
But the Swiss has struggled with injuries and Federer says: “I don’t really know if