Federer’s form under spotlight

Roger Federer has begun his preparations for the clay in his homeland of Switzerland.

ROGER Federer’s appearance at the Rome Masters next month will be dependent on how he performs at the Madrid Masters, according to his coach Ivan Ljubicic.

Federer has begun his preparations for the clay in his homeland of Switzerland and will play his first match on the surface in a few weeks when he competes in Madrid.

The Masters 1000 event in Rome immediately follows the tournament in Madrid and Federer has never won there, finishing runner-up three times.

Earlier this month, the president of Italian tennis said he was keeping his fingers crossed that Federer will be able to play in Rome.

“This is the only big tournament that Federer has not won.

“And we would be delighted to have him here again even though the spectator record in 2017 was broken without him.”

With just Madrid planned before playing at the French Open, an early exit could mean Federer looks to play in Rome to get more match practice.

And while Ljubicic confirmed the intention remains to just play in Madrid, he did not rule out playing in Rome.

“The plan is Madrid for now,” Ljubicic told Sky Sport Italia.

“As for Rome, it depends on what happens in Madrid.

“We will start training again on Monday. We will go to Madrid on Friday, May 3.

“Not too early because we have the altitude in Switzerland.”

Meanwhile, former British number one Greg Rusedski feels Federer’s comeback in Madrid is the right call.

“I think Madrid is perfect for him because of the altitude and the ball goes quicker,” he said.

“It allows him to play his serve and volley sometimes.

“Usually that sort of clay court event is not your typical [one] because of the way the ball flies through the air and Federer is one of the best at.” – express.co.uk