Former player warns Roger Federer: 'Recovery is tougher on clay'
In an interview to GQ Magazine, the former player Arnaud Di Pasquale commented on Roger Federer's expectations on clay. The Frenchman said: "It is underestimated on clay, where he played six finals including a win. But the surface is too busy. He is 37 years old, it's difficult to recover on the surface, it makes legs tired and the tight too. If he spends three hours and a half against a South American who has nothing to lose .. he will have to build points more than he does on grass or hard. Will he have enough mental strength against clay-courters? I am not sure at all."
On the hopes to see a Frenchman going far in Paris, Di Pasquale added: "I was looking at Gael Monfils's match against Federer in Madrid. What a shame. But I believe in Gael this year. I like the idea of seeing him more competitive. For some years he went away prior to the big events. That's the first year I feel he hesitates in sharing his ambitions, he is more honest, and when he will be able to understand what he can do, he will have to take the opportunity. That's our best chance, especially on clay. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga depends on his body as well as Richard Gasquet. And then there is Lucas Pouille. I always defended him. He makes an effort, he deserves a second week. He lost four or five kilos in February. He lost confidence. He lacks a B plan. If he does not hit a winner and the ball gets back, he loses. If everything does not go the way he hopes to, the point is lost."
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2Mjn9ia
No comments