By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, June 13, 2018

 

Roger Federer revealed his primary motivation for playing and why he won't call his Stuttgart return a comeback.

Photo credit: Wilson

Regaining the world No. 1 ranking and reveling in the joys of playing fuel Roger Federer's return to tennis.

Playing his first match in nearly three months, Federer rallied past Mischa Zverev, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, launching his quest to regain the world No. 1 ranking in Stuttgart today.

Watch: Federer Fights Past Zverev

The top-seeded Swiss snapped a two-match losing streak earning his first win since defeating Borna Coric in the Indian Wells semifinals in March.

Despite the three-month sabbatical, Federer views his return as re-engaging with the game rather than a full-fledged comeback.

"I said comeback, but it's not a comeback; it's more like stepping back into it," Federer told the media in Stuttgart. "That's how it feels anyway. I wasn't away because I had to be. It was my own decision.

"It's always easier this way, but it's nice to get your first win after such a long time because you kind of lose your rhythm a little bit and it's normal. When you win, it gives you another opportunity and another one hopefully and the more matches you get the better you start feeling about your game."



It was Federer's 13th straight grass-court triumph, including his run to success lawn titles at Halle and Wimbledon last summer.

The 36-year-old Swiss became the oldest ATP world No. 1 in history on February 19th and can surpass 11-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal and regain the top spot with a run to the Stuttgart final this week.

The Australian Open champion stands three tournament titles shy of 100 career championships. Jimmy Connors, the men's Open Era leader with 109 career titles, is the only man in the Open Era to eclipse the triple digit championship mark.

Federer said pursuing the top spot and the pleasure of playing are his primary motivation these days.

“The most important thing, first of all, is the joy of the game," Federer told the media in Stuttgart. "The feeling of winning, to hear the audience and to give them pleasure.

“And to prove to myself and my team that I can win another tournament or defend a title. Of course, records. Of course, it would be nice to become number one again and turn this record upwards."

Playing a lefty serve-and-volleyer today, Federer saw few extensive rallies but got plenty of repetitions on serve and return. The world No. 2 broke serve four times and was satisfied with his successful return. 

"I was very pleased actually," Federer said. "It was difficult from the start. I think the cold conditions and sort of the wettish conditions that we felt on the court, especially at the back of the court, made conditions even a bit faster and more tricky, I'd say, to play. I think it made the margins even slimmer.

"And I think we both knew going into the match a passing shot here or there or a maybe a half volley or a return or a pick up or something was going to create the different. I think maybe I just created a bit more opportunities than he did and I was able to play better as the match went on. I think that's something I can really build on."