Roger Federer’s struggle is still very much on. The world no.2 has been battling with injuries since the beginning of the season and now a problem with his back is killing his chances during the clay court season. Roger surprised himself after winning his opener in Rome against Zverev, but he couldn’t do much against a more solid Thiem in the 3^rd round. Federer lost 7-6 (2) 6-4.

The match against the Austrian seemed to be a competition as it was clear that Federer himself wasn’t confident about his chances. Roger had to modify his movements on serve, and he sometimes had to use “weird” shots when he was rallying so as to avoid to worsen his injury.

Federer. I didn’t care about the result

Roger commented “It doesn’t matter how I played. What is important is that I didn’t have any setbacks, and I was able to step on the tennis court and that I tried what I could with what I had.

I knew I wasn’t good enough for any result here, so that’s why I hope you don’t read into it so much and I don’t. This is like, ‘Who cares about the results here?’ It matters what comes now in the next couple of months.”

Roger will start his preparation for Paris while Thiem will play either Gasquet or (most probably) Nishikori in the quarters.

THE DRAW