#SmashTalk: should Federer skip Roland Garros?

Andy Murray continues to sound off on Maria Sharapova – or, perhaps more accurately, the British press continue to ask him about her. All the while, several players are returning to the court after recent absences and have provided some of the week’s more intriguing story-lines.

Meanwhile, Roger Federer has indicated he’s very likely to play the French Open – but without any sign he’ll play a claycourt tune-up tournament.

The tennismash team of Vivienne Christie (VC), Paul Moore (PM), Matt Trollope (MT) and Leigh Rogers (LR) discuss whether or not they feel Federer’s Paris participation is a wise move, as well as Murray’s comments and tennis comebacks.

Agree or disagree with the views presented? Have your say on Facebook and Twitter using #SmashTalk.

Said Andy Murray: “Loads and loads of press went there to cover (Maria Sharapova’s return in Stuttgart) – whereas the Slams don’t need that coverage.” Do you agree?

VC: Who’s going to argue with Sir Andy? It’s true that the Slams will generate many stories without Maria. But there’s another angle to consider: in the absence of mum-to-be Serena and inconsistency from other big names, it’s women’s tennis that needs the big story. And whether it’s positive or not, there’s nobody more qualified than Sharapova – the most accomplished active player on tour – to provide it. Considering the contrasting depth on the men’s tour, you can see why Murray might have missed that point.

PM: One-hundred per cent yes. Don’t get me wrong, Maria brings some much-needed coverage to the WTA tour. But the French Open and Wimbledon (the two majors she is likely to need a wildcard for) do not need her there. They are strong enough sporting entities in their own right, and the wildcard would only benefit Maria.

MT: Maybe they don’t need the extra coverage on the men’s side. But I’d argue the women need all the coverage they can right now – and that includes at the Slams. With the men’s game in a healthy state and Roger and Rafa reigniting fandom once more, the women’s event at Roland Garros threatens to become an afterthought with the absence of Serena, Vika and Petra – and whoever else might get injured or leave the tour between now and then. Sharapova’s (potential) return to Paris injects some much needed interest and will be especially compelling given she may have to come through qualifying or be given a contentious main draw wildcard.

LR: I agree with him that the Slams will still be covered with or without Maria, but Andy, it is time to let it go! The world No.1 has made it quite clear he does not support Sharapova receiving wildcards, and while it is great he is passionate about the integrity of the sport, these decisions are out of his hands and don’t affect him directly. Him continuing to make public statements is only giving the issue and Sharapova more media coverage.

Several big names are making returns to the tour this week at ATP 250 claycourt events around Europe. Which one stands to benefit the most from a strong run?

VC: Milos Raonic desperately needs a run of matches. After rising to world No.3 late in 2016, momentum was cruelly disrupted by the hamstring injury that saw him withdraw from his past three events. Then again, clay is hardly Milos’ most likely surface. Sentiment might be better reserved for Richard Gasquet: it’s not exactly a comeback – Barcelona, where he suffered a first-round loss, was Gasquet’s first event following an appendectomy – but the Frenchman would love some clay court wins. As his 31st birthday looms, the former ’next big thing’ might have missed his chance.

PM: It’s got to be Milos Raonic. While Delpo has had a quiet start to the season, Raonic has been injury plagued. He needs a decent run (at least a couple of matches) in Istanbul to both test his body and recover a little bit of the confidence that he will inevitably have lost in the run up to Madrid and Rome..

MT: Juan Martin del Potro. Whereas other players returning, like Milos Raonic and Richard Gasquet, are hardly going to make a dent on clay or at Roland Garros, del Potro is a legitimate threat on the surface if he gets some momentum going. The two-time Estoril champion and former French Open semifinalist could use another strong run in Portugal as a springboard to an even bigger claycourt season.

LR: Milos Raonic. I hate to say this, but the Canadian has almost been a non-factor so far this season. Last year he emerged as a genuine Grand Slam contender, but currently sitting No.21 in the ATP Race to London, he is in desperate need of a quick form revival to get his season back on track. Any momentum the 26-year-old can build now will be crucial for the impending grass season, where he has Queen’s Club and Wimbledon finals points to defend.

Is Roger Federer a chance to defeat Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros? Or should he skip it and focus his energies on Wimbledon?

VC: If there’s one thing we’ve learned from 2017 so far, it’s not to write off Roger – even on clay as Nadal thunders towards another huge record on his best surface. While the head says Federer would be wiser to rest up ahead of Wimbledon – the Slam that’s most likely to deliver another title – the heart applauds the superstar for adding to the feel-good narrative he’s created in 2017. Besides, true champions want to win against their toughest opponents. There’d be a happy synergy in Rafa claiming a win over Federer en route to a history–making 10th Roland Garros win.

PM: That everyone wants to see Roger back in action is beyond doubt. But let’s be realistic: Rafa is in beast mode at the moment, and Roger doesn’t have the game to challenge him on the red stuff. The sensible move would be to forego Roland Garros and focus on bagging another Wimbledon title – that’s the one he really wants, and the one the world wants to see him win.

MT: He won’t beat Rafa at Roland Garros. But why wouldn’t he play in Paris? Hopefully fresh and reinvigorated after a break, Federer could simply hit freely and have fun at the French Open and gain some valuable match play ahead of Wimbledon. And should the draw break open for him in Paris – perhaps Nadal loses early or gets injured again? – there are few other players who could stop a healthy, firing Federer, even on clay. He’d be mad to miss it.

LR: Federer only has two wins against Nadal on clay in 15 matches and has lost all five meetings at Roland Garros. So regardless of whether Federer played a full clay swing or not, he would always start as an underdog against the Spaniard in Paris. Federer has said he will play the French Open, so if they happen to meet Federer can swing freely knowing that he won’t be expected to win. That could work in his favour, especially considering the mental edge he now holds over Rafa from their earlier meetings this season. Even he did lose to Nadal in Paris, I can’t see that derailing his Wimbledon hopes especially now he’ll be entering that swing rested and feeling fresh.