Federer: “My focus is not trying to be at the same level as Rafa and Novak right now”

Roger Federer is confident he will hit the ground running when he returns to action on clay in Geneva this week.

The Swiss, who began his comeback after 13 months out following knee surgery when he played in Doha in March, took more time off to boost his fitness and says he’s raring to go as he prepares for his first match on Tuesday.

“Of course, there is a question marks all around my level right now,” he told a press conference on Monday. “We will find out a little bit more tomorrow. But in practice, things has been going I’ve been going well, so I’m happy there.”

Excited about the comeback

One day after Rafa Nadal beat world No 1 Novak Djokovic in the final in Rome in a match of the highest quality, Federer said he is not concerned about his level.

“You know, when you come back from an injury, you are anyway in a different place than everybody else so that the players are there,” he said.

“I’m here at the moment, so that’s why I’m excited about the comeback. That’s what my focus needs to be on and not about trying to be at the same level as Rafa and Novak right now.“

Clay test the key for Federer

And Federer said he was looking forward to testing himself on clay again.

“I’m almost more focused on the clay than the opponent, to be honest,” he said. “But I think the moment I am healthy or able to get matches again under my belt could use to being out on court, serving for hours and then recovering and doing the same thing again, that will all just and increase my confidence. And then I believe I will be part of the top tier.”