Roger Federer serves to Argentina’s Frederico Delbonis during their semifinal match at the bet-at-home German Open ATP tennis tournament in Hamburg, Germany on July 20, 2013. Photo: AP
When Roger Federer makes his first appearance at the Swiss Open, since winning it in 2004, he will concentrate on his own fitness and the state of his new prototype racquet.
The top seed’s first opponent after a bye will be German Daniel Brands on Wednesday, a player he beat in three sets in last week’s first round.
Federer, who has been playing since last week with a larger, 98-square-inch racquet after competing for most of his career with a 90-square-inch model, remains quietly confident that he will be able to make the big switch before travelling to Canada in little more than a week to prepare for the Montreal Masters.
“This racket will probably change over the next few months, we will keep tinkering with it,” said Federer, working closely with his manufacturer. “I’ve tried a lot of models and this is the one I like the best.
“I’ll play Gstaad with it and then we can look ahead. The plan for now is to continue with this racquet.”
“Gstaad is a special tournament with altitude (800 metres),” said Federer. “You can’t come here for six weeks to get prepared.
“I’m coming in very relaxed, no-one has much experience on this clay but you can get used to it.” – Agence France-Presse
Related articles
Federer a man on a mission at his home Gstaad event
Roger Federer Using New Racquet in Hamburg
Federer yet to settle on racket change
Federer loses to qualifier in semis
