Federer is chasing down Jimmy Connors’ record of 109 ATP titles – of which he is just eight behind.
However, the Swiss star has not had the luck in Rome, having lost all four of his previous final appearances.
World No 1 Novak Djokovic is the only current player to have completed the Golden Masters by winning all ATP 1000 titles.
And Federer is keen to add the honour to his illustrious list.
“A little bit [of an incentive]. Four finals here from that point of view,” Petchey told Amazon Prime.
“But as he said ‘I have been practicing so much in Switzerland and I just wanted to go and play matches and my body felt good enough to do it’.
“He was playing in Madrid when the draw was done here in Rome.
“He had made some decision in his mind to come here.
“I do think at the moment it is a little bit on the fly just to come here.
“But at the same time as a tournament perspective it is pretty good, particularly for the tickets.”
Federer was due to get his Italian Open campaign against Joao Sousa this morning.
However, heavy rainfall has caused the postponed of all matches.
The Swiss star is waiting at the grounds for the sky to clear.
But if the rain does not stop he could be forced to play two matches tomorrow.