By Chris Oddo | Friday, May 29, 2015

 

What does Roger Federer need to do to win Roland Garros? And even if he does that, can he?

Photo Source: AP

Most gave Roger Federer very little chance to win Roland Garros after Rome was finished and it was clear that the Nole-Rafa show would shift to Paris with cameos from the Nishikoris, Wawrinkas and Murrays of the world. But since the draw came out there has been a wave of hope that Federer’s lucky stars might be shining. The 2009 champion was tucked into a safe section of the draw, away from Djokovic, Nadal and Murray, and handed three very manageable contests in week one.

Vine of Day 6: Federer's Backhand Flick

Playing some aggressive tennis, Federer has taken care of his end of the bargain, and now must prep for a battle with France’s favorite tennis son, Gael Monfils in the round of 16.

Even during today’s straight-sets victory over Damir Dzumhur, commentators were hinting that maybe Federer is using week one to color his game with more aggression so that he can shorten points and avoid being sucked into long, draining rallies and grinding games with his younger adversaries.

Could it be his only hope to keep progressing through the draw?

“At 33 he’s not going to win on grinding or defense,” said ESPN’s Brad Gilbert while commentating Federer’s match on Saturday. “He’s got to win on offense.”

Gilbert hinted that Federer may be purposely experimenting with more aggressive tactics against Dzumhur on Friday so that he may be better prepared to tackle the challenge of Gael Monfils in their round of 16 match on Sunday. “I really to believe the way that his thought process is towards the rest of this tournament [right now]—He needs to win it with offense. That’s the way his game is at 33. Especially off the forehand, and he’s trying to hit the backhand down the line more as well. That’s why maybe you’re seeing a little more serve and volley.”

Federer rushed the net 34 times on Friday, mixing in some serve and volley, and struck with purpose from the backcourt, nailing 38 winners. Against Dzumhur the strategy worked to a tee, but can Federer pull it off against tougher opponents on this slow, slippery terre battue?

Federer’s former coach Paul Annacone agreed with Gilbert that Federer is seeking aggression. “It’s always about building momentum to play a certain style for a great player to win the tournament. This is how Roger has to play to give himself a chance to hold up that trophy,” he said. “That forward style, at the right time against the best players is how he is going to win this tournament.”

Seven-time Roland Garros champion Chris Evert doesn’t truly believe Federer can win it all, but she agrees with Annacone and Gilbert that Roger needs to play a very aggressive style to advance.

“You do have to be a bit of a grinder [to win at Roland Garros],” Evert said. “You have to be offensive but you also have to have great defensive skills. And I just don’t see Roger as a grinder. I see Djokovic, I see Nadal and I see Andy Murray getting 15, 16, 17 shots back if they have to. Roger just is a shotmaker.”

She added: “It’s not only physical, it’s mental. Does he focus on every point? He has a few more lapses than the other top players.”

Still, Evert believes that Federer’s draw gives him a shot.

“Let’s put it this way,” he said. “It’s very possible he could win this tournament, no doubt about it. Especially if the other half of the draw wears itself out—he’s got a great draw.”