Roland Garros Going After Roger Federer This Year.

A first Masters title in Rome won’t be in the cards for Roger Federer this spring, nor will a third clay Masters title in Madrid.

Like his tennis apparel, Federer has tapered his clay-court schedule since 2017, when he skipped the entire clay-court season, including Roland Garros.

Federer reached the quarterfinals of both Masters tournaments, then made the semifinals of Roland Garros in his first appearance on the terre battue since 2015 (he missed the 2016 French Open with an injury).

Rafael Nadal, the 12-time French Open champion, improved his record against Federer at Roland Garros to 6-0 with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win.