‘Want to Achieve Something on Clay,’ Federer on Facing Nadal in SF

Roger Federer last faced Nadal in 2017 in China for the Shanghai Masters trophy where he beat the Spaniard.

Roger Federer at post-match press conference.

(Photo: Screenshot via YouTube)

Winner of 20 Grand Slam singles titles and World No. 3 Roger Federer beat fellow Swiss player, Stan Wawrinka 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in the ongoing edition of the French Open on Tuesday, 4 June.

Federer who returned to the French tournament after four years, advanced to the semi-finals for the first time since 2012 and will face World No. 2 Rafael Nadal.

"I'm very happy, you know, number one, to be back in another semifinals of a Grand Slam. It hasn't happened, you know, in the last year or so. I had some tough losses in fourth rounds or quarters,” he said.

“So from that standpoint, I exceeded my expectations here. You know, after missing the French for so many years, it’s nice to be back in the semis, so that’s a great feeling.”

Roger Federer

On Facing Nadal

Speaking on facing Nadal, he added that he is “happy to be in the semis and play Rafa.”

"For me to get to Rafa is not simple. It took five matches here for me to win to get there. That's why I'm very happy to play Rafa, because if you want to do or achieve something on the clay, inevitably, at some stage, you will go through Rafa, because he's that strong and he will be there."

Federer last faced Nadal in 2017 in China for the Shanghai Masters trophy where he beat the Spaniard 6-4, 6-3.

The match between Federer and Nadal will be played on Friday, 7 June and it will be their 39th career meeting and their sixth in Paris.