French Open “still an option” for Roger Federer as Swiss great targets world number one ranking

In an interview with CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies, tennis great Roger Federer sat down to outline his plans for the French Open and to reflect on his return to the heights of the game following a substantial lay off in 2016.

Speaking ahead of the clay court season, the 18-time grand slam champion refused to confirm whether he would compete at Roland Garros in May, following a remarkable return to form that has seen the 35-year-old win the Australian Open, Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

Having now reached fourth in the World Rankings, Federer tells Davies that becoming World Number One is no longer a priority to him, with his focus now on maintaining his health and form.

Despite this, Federer confirmed to CNN that he still had no intentions to retire from the sport, and explained how he is approaching the tours in his later years.

“I don’t think I will skip [the French Open], but I will have to see in, say, four or five weeks how I feel when I get on the clay and how my mood is then,” said Federer.

“If I feel like I’m not 100 per cent in it, that I’m [not] really fired up — and I believe that is something possible — then it is better to skip it. Maybe the break is a long one, it will be 10 weeks until the grass – that could be a bit long. But I think I will play the French.”

You can watch the full video, courtesy of CNN and exclusive to Sport360 in the region, above.