For Roger Federer, Almost Every Match Is A “Home” Match

Written by: Staff on 5th June 2013

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

For Roger Federer, Almost Every Match Is A “Home” Match

epa03730832 Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during his quarter final match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 04 June 2013. EPA/YOAN VALAT |

With fervent fans all over the tennis world, it’s nearly always a “home” match for Roger Federer – even when the Swiss is playing a local as he did in his quarter-final loss at the French Open.

But after going down in quick straight sets to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on what was clearly an off day for the world No. 2, Federer can appreciate the support he got in the heated atmosphere of the Chatrier stadium at Roland Garros.

And now, the ousted Swiss is throwing his moral support behind Tsonga to lift the first home trophy at Roland Garros in the 30 years since Yannick Noah did it.

“I always try to play tough but very fair. They seem to enjoy it, and they have helped me in a huge way to win in 2009. I thought they would have been very happy again if I did that again this year. Unfortunately I couldn’t get it done,” said Federer. “For them, I hope that Jo Willy can do it, clearly.

“I’ve played so many French guys along the way with (Gael) Monfils and Jo Willy, of course. We know each other and I think the crowd knows me by now. I know them.”

Federer has always felt at home in the Paris hot seat. “I thought the crowd was more even today than it was against (Frenchman Gilles) Simon, for some reason, which I was happy to have a lot of fans on my side today,” said the French-speaking Swiss. “I’ve always had some amazing crowd support here in France and throughout the world. I have been very fortunate because I don’t have a home Slam or anything like that.”

Against most any other (non-French) opponent Federer would have surely had the majority of the crowd of 16,000 on his side, as is often the case when the 2009 champion takes to the clay in Paris.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

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