Roger Federer once said what many tennis fans got wrong about him on clay courts and his opinion on the surface

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Roger Federer dominated tennis during the 2000s, picking up the sport’s biggest titles.

The Swiss legend retired from tennis in 2022, leaving behind a one-of-a-kind ATP Tour legacy that saw him win 20 Grand Slam titles.

Federer enjoyed most of his Major success on grass and hard courts: Australian Open (6), Wimbledon (8), US Open (5).

He won just one Grand Slam title on the clay, securing victory at the French Open in 2009.

Over the years, many suggested clay was Federer’s least favorite surface, an opinion he disagreed with seven years ago.

Roger Federer once said he was a ‘clay court player’ and ‘enjoyed’ competing on the surface

Speaking just a few months removed from his 20th and final Major triumph at the 2018 Australian Open, Federer gave his honest opinion on clay courts.

“I am a clay-court player, essentially. I grew up on clay,” he said.

“I played even indoors on clay, that was my court in the winter.”

The 43-year-old then explained why he thinks fans consider clay to be his least favorite surface.

“I was enjoying playing on clay, at the beginning on the Tour it was hard because I lost my first eleven [matches] and then at the French Open it took time to win, and then people thought, he doesn’t like clay,” said Federer.

“Maybe because on the other [surfaces] results came easier and faster.”

Overall, Federer was proud of his clay court career, having won 11 titles on the surface, including six at the Masters 1000 level.

“Over time, because you have more success on hard, grass, indoors, you also start to make your schedule a little bit more around that,” he said.

“I think I am a good clay-court player but there are many many better players than me.

“I tried everything, I won a lot of Masters 1000 on clay, also the French Open, I came very close.

“I am really happy with my clay-court career, to be honest.”

How did Roger Federer win the 2009 French Open?

Spain’s Rafael Nadal was the heavy favorite in Paris 16 years ago, entering the tournament as a four-time defending champion.

Nadal had beaten Federer in the previous three finals, but suffered a rare defeat at Roland Garros in 2009.

In one of the biggest upsets in tennis history, Robin Soderling beat Nadal in the fourth round, handing him his first career French Open defeat.

Number two seed Federer instantly became the favorite for the title and battled hard to return to the final once more.

• 2009 French Open SF – Roger Federer beat Juan Martin del Potro, 3-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
• 2009 French Open QF – Roger Federer beat Gael Monfils, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4
• 2009 French Open 4R – Roger Federer beat Tommy Haas, 6-7, 5-7, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2
• 2009 French Open 3R – Roger Federer beat Paul-Henri Mathieu, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4
• 2009 French Open 2R – Roger Federer beat Jose Acasuso, 7-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-2
• 2009 French Open 1R – Roger Federer beat Alberto Martin, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2

Having fought his way through two five-set wars, Federer faced off against Nadal’s conqueror, Soderling, in the final.

Saving his best tennis for last, the Swiss star dispatched of the young Swede in three sets, 6-1, 7-6, 6-4, finally completing the Career Grand Slam with an emotional victory on Court Phillipe Chatrier.

Three times a losing finalist, Federer was at last a French Open champion, making the most of Nadal’s slip up in the fourth round.

Federer returned to the French Open final two years later, losing to Nadal once more, retiring in 2022 as a one-time champion at Roland Garros.

The 2025 French Open is set to begin on Sunday, May 25.