Roger Federer is in danger of become a fair-weather tennis player.
Roger Federer proud father of second set of twins
The current No. 4 player in the world who has been the subject of recent debate along with Rafael Nadal as the greatest player ever, lost his opening match in the Italian Open on Wednesday to 47th-ranked Jeremy Chardy, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6).
It was the first match the 32-year-old Federer has played since the birth of his twin sons, so he might be forgiven for coming in a bit rusty.
The New York Times reported that the loss marked the first time since 2010 that Federer lost his first match at a Masters 1000 event. It also extended his drought at the Italian Open to 14 years - his most appearance in an event without ever having won.
Roger Federer afraid of the dark?
According to the Times, Federer seemed to be bothered as much by the wind in Rome as he was Chardy. It looked as if Federer was going to win the tiebreaker and the match until a Chardy cross-court passing shot stunned Federer on match point in the third-set tiebreak.
"It makes it difficult to have a proper game plan, or execute the way you want," Federer said of the wind. "You're going to not take so much risk, and you're putting more shots, just trying to put them in play, rather than trying to really go for it."
The loss to Chardy marks the second occasion this season in which Federer has loss under less-than-ideal conditions.
Federer blamed his loss to Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals of the Sony Open on the fact that he had to play a night match.
"I just couldn't find my rhythm on the serve (against Nishikori), which was surprising especially after how well I played and served specially this week," Federer said after the quarterfinal loss. "I think it didn't 'take off' the way it did during the daytime -- you could expect that, but then plus the temperature drop had something to do with that.
"In the dark for some reason, I haven't played many matches this year. Here in the night I have struggled in the past. I don't know exactly what it is, but I have played a lot of frustrating matches like the ones I have played here tonight and also in previous years."
Despite his quick exit and lack of preparation on clay for the French Open that begins on May 25, Federer says he's comfortable with his game.
"Practice has been really good the past few weeks, even though I did have family, so now I've just got to see how I'll handle the preparation leading into Paris," he said. "But everything is under control, and I still feel good. My body is good, my mind is good, and it's just unfortunate that for one passing shot today I don't get another opportunity to play this week."
As long, apparently, as his matches are in the middle of the day with ideal weather conditions.
Is Roger Federer's upset loss to Jeremy Chardy a blip in the road or a sign of trouble? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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