Roger Federer was back on clay this year for the first time since 2015 as he looked to prioritise other events in the calendar.
But after withdrawing from the Italian Open he has hinted he will be back on clay again next year.
In his statement he he claimed Rome had always been one of his favourite cities and that he hoped to be back next year.
That would suggest Federer is keen to play on clay again in 2020 in a year that will also include the Olympics in Tokyo.
“I am disappointed that I will not be able to compete today. I am not 100 per cent physically and, after consultation with my team, it was determined that I not play,” Federer said when withdrawing from the event.
“Rome has always been one of my favourite cities to visit and I hope to be back next year.”
Federer was forced to play twice in a day on the Thursday of the tournament and hurt himself stretching for a ball on the wet court.
He then fired a message to event organisers about the state of the courts, and the difficulties players face when they are constantly watered.
“I don’t quite understand how players just go with it when they water the court,” Federer said.
“Players kind of check the lines and are like ‘ok we can play’.
“The lines are wet. Wet playing lines mean you slide. When I slid I hurt myself.
“I did hurt my toe for two games and my leg was also hurting a little bit.
“I just don’t understand. They don’t make us play but they should call time.
“They make us stand there and feel the pressure from 10,000 people and a live audience.
“The player will always cave in the end. It is going to take five minutes until the lines are dry and I don’t think we should play with wet lines.
“Nobody wants an injured player because of something silly like this just to make the matches keep going.”