After 3 months of highly-competitive tennis around the world, the ATP circuit will catch its breath for a short period of time. This week, the Davis Cup rubbers are the main attraction while the professional tour will resume its trajectory in about 2 weeks having the clay court swing on its plate. For Roger Federer, this first segment of the current season has been beyond belief, even for his standards. He has the best start of the year in more than a decade with a 19-1 record under his belt. A Grand Slam title and two Masters 1000 crowns in a row are some irrefutable proofs.
A minimum presence on the clay court
Somehow expected, Roger Federer will not get involve too much on the European red clay. So far, the only certainty on clay remains the French Open, the second Grand Slam of the season which Federer won it once back in 2009. Of course, there is the possibility to have Federer playing one more event of this kind, in Madrid or Rome but all depends on how the healing and recovery process will go. It's been quite a run especially at Indian Wells and Miami, two events held in different conditions. Indian Wells is about enduring the heat and the dryness that the proximity of the desert gives while in Miami the high level of humidity and gusty wind are the enemies.
But the 35-year-old Swiss managed the walk right through in what was his first Sunshine Double success since 2006.
First seat in the ATP Race
Regarding this year's ranking only, Roger Federer is a mile ahead of the herd. His 4045 points harvest almost secures him a ticket for the ATP Finals. In the general ranking, Federer is ranked as the no.
4 but there is plenty of room for growth. Unlike those from above (Murray, Djokovic and Wawrinka), Federer has around 1000 points to defend for the rest of the season. This is way the idea of having Federer challenging the no. 1 spot in the ranking gained so many followers recently. Last month has been all about Federer and his irresistible pace on the tennis court, now it's time to give him so space and enjoy the upcoming clay spectacle. Three Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome will make Federer's absence from the ATP Tour a little more bearable.