Saturday 25th May 2019.....The French Open begins!!!

The real reason Roger Federer refuses to retire

Can Roger Federer hold off the chasing pack?

Roger Federer doesn’t seem to be slowing down, despite conventional wisdom and the body of a 37-year-old suggesting he probably should.

And while he’s backed up his decision to keep playing with his performance on the court and an unwaning reverence for the game, there could be another thing driving the Swiss great.

With Federer sitting atop the all-time list for most grand slams with 20, only three ahead of Rafael Nadal and five in front of Novak Djokovic, the chase is well and truly on.

According to Fox Sports Australia commentator Sam Groth, that’s likely one reason Federer is playing on; the tennis superstar set to compete at Roland Garros for the first time in four years.

“I definitely think that record is in danger,” Groth told foxsports.com.au.

“I think it’s probably one of the reasons we still see Roger playing. Obviously he loves competing and loves being out there, but I think there’s no way that he wants that record to be broken.

“Obviously Rafa and Novak are both not that far away. But the form that Novak has shown since Wimbledon last year — he’s won the last three slams — and the last time he went on this sort of run, he racked up 6 or so in a couple years, he’s got that same sort of form going again.

“I think from Roger’s point of view, it’s not something that he’d want to see — Novak coming up in the rear-view mirror to that record.”

With Djokovic in with a chance to complete a second career ‘Nole Slam’ — he will hold all four majors at once with a win at the French — and Nadal obviously the favourite going into the 2019 edition; Federer’s major lead is almost certainly going to be cut into by one of the two.

“...You never want to write him [Federer] off,” Groth said.

“But by his form coming in, and the form that Novak’s been in over the last 12 months, and the form that Rafa always shows when he hits the clay, I think it’s going to be tough for Roger to come through and win.”

Groth forecast a Nadal-Djokovic final, with the Spaniard still “definitely the man to beat” at a tournament he’s made his own; hunting a twelfth French Open title. 

Wish every a wonderful happy holiday weekend!!

Yashi Kochi!!!!