Roger Federer has created an enormous buzz with his decision to resume playing during the clay-court season. He hasn't competed on clay since 2016, so, it's only natural to have various questions revolving around this matter. In a press conference after he won the Masters 1000 in Miami, Federer admitted that he would need to take baby-steps as far as the upcoming clay season is concerned.

According to his official website, Roger Federer's schedule for the 2019 clay-court season includes only two events. He will be making that much-anticipated return at the Mutua Madrid Open which starts May 5.

Then, he will aim higher as the second Grand Slam of the season would have Federer competing at the French Open for the first time since 2015.

The 2019 Mutua Madrid is locked in, Rome Masters as a backup

But that schedule may suffer some changes. In case of an early exit in Madrid - which is plausible given his lack of action on this surface - the Swiss Tennis icon may want to explore some other options which may bring the Rome Masters into the discussion. If he intends to go deeper into the tournament at the 2019 French Open, the lack of warm-up matches may jeopardize his bid.

According to express.co.uk, Ivan Ljubicic who has been Roger Federer's head coach for a couple of seasons now has said that the plan is to have a single warm-up event prior to the 2019 French Open.

He then added the possibility of having Federer competing at Foro Italico, depending on how Madrid plays out.

Roger Federer hasn't played at the Rome Masters since 2016, that tipping-point season when Federer had to undergo knee surgery.

Moreover, the Rome Masters and the recently ended Monte Carlo Masters are the only two Masters 1000 events Federer hasn't won yet.

Federer is chasing down title No. 102, 29th Masters, 21st Grand Slam

Having reached the final of the first two Masters 1000 events of the season, Roger Federer capped one of them in Miami after losing a three-set final in Indian Wells to Dominic Thiem. Winning in Miami has brought his ATP titles tally to 101 and the Masters 1000 crowns to 28.

Given its topographical particularities (altitude, faster clay courts), Mutua Madrid Open presents itself as a great opportunity for Federer. As the overall game conditions seem perfectly suited for Federer's tennis, he should be put into the favorites' box. His rivals are also struggling on clay as Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem, and Alexander Zverev are all struggling to find some momentum.

Assuming Roger Federer builds up his form nicely for the 2019 French Open, he will go to Paris seeking his 21st Grand Slam title. It may seem a far-stretched prediction, but again, this guy has done the impossible on numerous occasions.
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