28/1 Federer unsure of French success

World number four Roger Federer (28/1 – 2019 French Open Outright) says he doesn’t know what to expect going into the clay-court part of the season after deciding to feature on the red dirt this year.

Federer has been carefully hand-picking which tournaments to play in over the past couple of seasons in a bid to prolong his career and made the choice to skip all clay-court events last year.

However, the Swiss star will take to the red dirt in this campaign and is expected to play in the Madrid Masters, which kicks off on May 3 in Caja Magica.

The 37-year-old will be building up to the French Open at Roland Garros as he aims to lift the trophy for just the second time in his career, having triumphed back in 2009 when seeing off Robin Soderling in the final.

Federer, who beat John Isner to win the Miami Open on Sunday, admits he is feeling apprehensive because he is unsure how he will adapt to the conditions.

“I’m not very confident going into this clay-court season, I can tell you that,” he was quoted as saying by sport24. “I didn’t even remember how to slide anymore. I’m taking baby steps at this point.

“I didn’t play one point – not one shot – on clay last year. Two years ago I played two days. Three years ago I played not feeling great in Monte-Carlo and Rome and all that. It’s been so little that I really don’t know what to expect.”

‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal is the 10/11 favourite in the French Open odds to defend his crown, while world number one Novak Djokovic, who won in 2016, is priced at 15/8.

Odds subject to change.