Federer Early Hard and Clay Court Expectations

[Vanilla Slice]

Federer has just won his long coveted 18th Major title in Australia. Though I and all fans of Federer are still basking in the glory of his victory down under, the next couple months pose a quandary in regard to his scheduling and success.

For the first hardcourt swing of the year, Federer is playing in Dubai and, I am assuming, Indian Wells and Miami. Should he take this course of action or skip one to stay healthy? What are realistic expectations for Federer in Dubai, Indian Wells, and Miami?

For the upcoming clay season, not much is known about what Federer will do or how many tournaments he will enter. Obviously, he will play the French Open (though he knows his chances are slim but you never know). What tournaments will Federer choose to play this clay season (Barcelona/Madrid/Monte Carlo/Rome)? For the tournaments he does play, including Roland Garros, what should be expected of him?

 

[SinjinCooper]

What are realistic expectations for Federer in Dubai, Indian Wells, and Miami?

Who cares? Rinky dink tournaments like these are just paychecks at this point for a guy like Fed. They're good for improving your seed, if you rely on that sort of thing. But as Fed just proved, seeding is irrelevant when you're the GOAT. You're never victim of a bad draw; you victimize a bad draw.

For the tournaments he does play, including Roland Garros, what should be expected of him?

Not a lot. I mean, he'll do fine, and probably continue to make semis everywhere he bothers to play, but 2017 Federer's game relies a little too much on serve and aggression for clay to be his bag of chips.

Wimbledon and the real hardcourt season are what's important.

 

[Dilexson]

Play Dubai, IW, RG. Skip everything else.

 

[Vanilla Slice]

Not a lot. I mean, he'll do fine, and probably continue to make semis everywhere he bothers to play, but 2017 Federer's game relies a little too much on serve and aggression for clay to be his bag of chips.

I agree with your thought process and believe much of the same. But Fed does need to gain rankings points to make life easier for him at the majors. I think he should play two hardcourt and one clay tournament before RG. However, I saw his odds at RG are 20/1 but does he have any shot at even making quarters/semis on clay?

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

I've never been more excited for a major than I am for RG 2017. It will be wild. I don't even usually get that excited for the french.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Fed hates the slow-as-hell Miami court and has made reference to this. But he also said he intends to play it this year, which I think is a mistake. Better for him to move immediately tot he clay after IW and play MC, Madrid, Rome and FO.