Roger Federer, to many, is considered the greatest player of all time, and he certainly has a strong case for that title.
The Swiss claimed 20 Grand Slam titles during his legendary career, including a record eight Wimbledon championships.
While Federer was successful on all surfaces, clay was, statistically, his least favourite by some margin.
Serena Williams picked Roger Federer as the G.O.A.T.
He secured just one Roland Garros crown, while tallying a win rate of 75.5% on clay, compared to
81.8% on hard and 86.3% on grass.
In 2018, Federer made the decision to skip the clay season altogether for the second year in a row, and his great rival, Rafael Nadal, suggested he knew exactly why.
Why Roger Federer skipped the clay season in 2017 and 2018
As per Tennis 365 that season, Nadal said: “With Federer, I played a few times here [in Madrid]. In 2009, 2010 and 2011.
“The matches against him are always difficult, but in Madrid a little more. They have been special meetings, and having been able to live them at home is something unique.
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“I understand that Federer must think that it is a major wear to play on the [clay] ground, that he has a fantastic winning dynamic and that on clay he can lose more games and lose that aura of unbeatable that he maintains on other surfaces.
“I think those two factors together lead him to make the decision.”
Roger Federer’s record against Rafael Nadal on clay
Federer and Nadal played each other 40 times on the ATP Tour, with the Spaniard leading the head-to-head 24-16.
A total of 16 of those clashes were played on clay, and Nadal dominated Federer on his preferred surface, leading 14-2 on the dirt.
Four of the clay-court bouts were Roland Garros finals, each of which Nadal came out on top, having overcome Federer in the championship match in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011.
Federer beat Nadal on clay for the first time in the 2007 Hamburg Open final, where he came back from a set down to triumph 2-6, 6-2, 6-0.
He defeated him again on clay for the second and last time in the 2009 Madrid Open final; this time in straight sets.
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