A former player and close friend of Roger Federer, Tim Henman feels that the Swiss legend is unlikely to play the French Open in 2018. The Swiss did not play any tournaments on clay in 2017, instead opting for a near three month break between winning in Miami and taking part in the first grass tournament of the year in Stuttgart.
Henman, 44, is now retired and does punditry work for the BBC, including at this week’s season ending Nitto ATP Finals.
Henman: “It was interesting to hear him say early in the week that he felt this was a unique year with how little he’s actually played, yet still winning two Grand Slams and three Masters 1000 events.He’s talking about playing more tournaments next year because even he can’t believe he will be so serene and successful in 2018. It will be interesting to see how he manages that.”
Yet. despite Federer’s, success the former Wimbledon semi-finalist feels fans shouldn’t feel surprised if they don’t see the 19-time Grand Slam champion grace the courts at Roland Garros next June.
Henman: “Will he play the clay court season? It’s doubtful. Having won the French Open he can afford to (miss) that.”
Henman is one of a select few players who can claim to have defeated Federer at Wimbledon. The Brit defeated the record 8-time singles winner in the 2001 quarter-finals before eventually losing a famous semi-final to eventual winner that year, Goran Ivanisevic.
