Federer throws doubt on French Open participation

Roger Federer says he won't play any clay court events until the French Open, but will he skip the Roland Garros grand slam as well?

The 35-year-old is off to a flying 19-1 start in 2017 after winning 11 consecutive matches as he now pauses to consider how much he will play in the clay season.

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After winning his third title of the year in Miami he told US television: "I probably won't play any clay events except the French Open, my body needs healing.

"I'm not 34 any more, things have to change in a big way. I need a rest and time to prepare. You will probably see me at the French again."

However Federer has now admitted he may not participate in the French Open as he contemplates skipping the clay court season altogether.

Federer at the 2015 French Open. Image: Getty

"I will decide whether to switch to clay or not on May 10," the 18-time Grand Slam champion said on Monday.

"We will sit and speak about it: will we skip the clay season? Or it's better not to do it?

"Until then I will practice on hard. I will compete only when I'm ready and motivated."

However Federer admitted the courts at Roland Garros would be good preparation for Wimbledon, which is clearly his priority.

"I maybe play my aggressive tennis there too, because when the weather is good courts are very fast, maybe faster than Wimbledon," he added.

"So it would be a good preparation for the grass season."

Federer's admision echoes the thoughts of Frenchman Nicolas Mahut, who previously said he thinks the Swiss great won't be playing on clay at all in 2017.

Mahut, a clay-court specialist, told French publication L'Equipe that Federer "would want to win" the French Open, but will withdraw because he couldn't do so without adequate preparation.

"I think we will not see him at Roland Garros," Mahut said.

Federer, who sat out the second half of 2016 with a knee problem, now owns three trophies since January, when he started it all as he beat Rafael Nadal in an epic Australian Open final.

He's played 17 French Opens in his illustrious career, winning the title in 2009, but skipped the 2016 edition because of injury.

with AAP