Federer is back at the French Open after a three-year absence but with expectations low, the Swiss has said he hopes the tournament will get him ready for Wimbledon next month.
And seven-time Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander feels playing on clay will give Federer an added edge for SW19.
“Looking at Wimbledon, I think it’s a necessity for him to play on clay,” Wilander said.
“When I see him play in Madrid and in Rome, it makes him play slightly more passive on clay and obviously for obvious reasons but at the same time, I think it builds such an unbelievable foundation to his game to play and practice on clay.
“I mean he basically has the perfect season because he’s got weeks off where he can work on hitting a thousand one-handed backhands and can hit a thousand serves.
“I mean those have to work on grass, they have to really work on grass to have a chance and clay is a perfect surface to not get injured because people say it is more physically taxing to play on clay.”
ROGER FEDERER VS LORENZO SONEGO LIVE
13:42: A standing ovation for Federer as he strides on to court.
13:30: It is all over on Chatrier as Tsitsipas completes a routine 6-2 6-2 7-6 win. Federer and Sonego will be out in around 10 minutes.
13:15: Federer and Sonego will be on court for their match after the clash between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maximilian Marterer finishes.
Tsitsipas won the first two sets 6-2 6-2 and third set is currently level at 5-5.
12:55: Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage of Roger Federer’s first-round clash against Lorenzo Sonego at the French Open.