Federer Turns Focus To Grass

© AFP/Getty ImagesFederer has won six of the past eight Wimbledon titles.

Roger Federer fell one match short of winning his first Grand Slam title since the 2010 Australian Open, losing to World No. 1 Rafael Nadal Sunday at Roland Garros – the Spaniard claimed his sixth title in Paris with a 7-5, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-1. But after a great two weeks of tennis on the red clay at Roland Garros, which saw Federer hand Novak Djokovic his first loss of the season in the semi-finals, the 29 year old has sent a message to his fellow competitors that he still possesses the game and drive to win another major title, or more. “It was just important to get to another Grand Slam final, keep on playing well,” Federer said Sunday. “I'm feeling better physically than I have in a long time, so that's been very positive.”

The Swiss, holder of 16 Grand Slam titles, was appearing in his first major final since defeating Andy Murray in the championship match at Melbourne Park last year, and was aiming to win his second title of the year after starting his season with a triumph in Doha. Having lost to Djokovic in three meetings this year prior to Friday’s semi-final victory, Federer is approaching the loss to Nadal with a positive outlook. “Today was a very good match. Overall obviously I'm very happy about the tournament,” assessed Federer.

“Also, after this sort of tough weekend I feel really good, so that's been positive, too.  Sure, it was a huge match with Novak. I'm happy about that win… Obviously you should be disappointed after losing in a Grand Slam final. I feel that a little bit today.”

Federer’s attention quickly shifts to the grass-court season, a stretch he’s dominated the past eight years, winning six Wimbledon crowns and five titles in Halle. It’s a part of the year the Swiss looks forward to most, with Wimbledon high on his list of priorities. “This is where it all started for me back in 2003; or even with Sampras earlier in '01. So that's why I always really enjoy coming back,” said Federer. “That's obviously the huge priority right now, to win Wimbledon in a few weeks time. That's always, for me, the sort of No. 1 goal of the season.”

Last year, the Swiss was surprised by Lleyton Hewitt in the Halle final, snapping a 15-match win streak against the Australian, a stretch spanning nearly seven years. Then, at Wimbledon, Federer failed to progress to the final at the All England Club for the first time since 2002 after bowing out to Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals. The World No. 3 is slated to play in Halle and will square off against Hewitt in a blockbuster first-round match. Hewitt has struggled with injury all season long, playing just four tournaments. The former World No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion last played at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March, losing to Yen-Hsun Lu in the first round.