Roger Federer set for clay comeback in Madrid: "It's been good so far"

Roger Federer's highly-anticipated return to clay courts begins this week at the Madrid Masters, with the world No. 3 saying he has enjoyed getting familiar with the surface again.

Federer comes into Madrid following a few weeks of training, most recently a session with British player Dan Evans at a club in Switzerland.

"It’s been good," he told press before the event. "I was lucky we had good weather when I started. So that helped because I remember three or four years ago, when I was practicing it was snowing and that didn’t inspire me very much to go and practice on clay, or go into an indoor bubble, so this year was easy. I enjoyed myself a lot."

He is scheduled to play two clay events, Madrid and the French Open, though he could potentially add Rome next week if he desires.

Following his title at Miami, Federer joked he would have to learn to slide again on clay, having not played on it since 2016. He says he is not putting pressure on himself this week, though he is a three-time champion on the high-altitude clay at Madrid.

"I don’t have high expectations in some ways, but at the same time I also know things are possible," he said. "But it’s been good so far."

The 20-time Grand Slam champion recognized that he needs to adjust to the slower baseline play involved.

"There is a possibility to play with more angles and height," he said. "Off a hard ball you can roll it and spin it and go loopy," he said. "So, from that standpoint, it’s been interesting and fun.

"But not so challenging, to be honest. Then again, competition might be completely different."

Federer is the third seed at Madrid and will play Richard Gasquet in his opening-round match.