Federer smart to target quicker surfaces, says Djokovic

PARIS: Roger Federer made a smart decision by pulling out of this month’s French Open, where he has less chance of adding to his 18 grand slam titles than on the sport’s quicker surfaces, world number two Novak Djokovic said on Thursday.

Federer, who announced his withdrawal from the May 28-June 11 claycourt major on Monday, said he felt he needed to avoid playing on clay this season to help prolong his career.

“You know, he’s very smart in his decision-making… He knows what he’s doing,” 12-times major winner Djokovic told reporters.

“Of course he’s aware he has much better chance to win big trophies on quicker surfaces.”

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Federer defied age and logic to win the Australian Open in January after a knee injury kept him out of tennis for six months, and followed that up with two more high-profile titles at Indian Wells and Miami.

The 35-year-old, fifth-ranked Swiss is now focused on being in top form for Wimbledon, which begins on July 3 and where he is a seven-times champion.

“Grass obviously is where he feels the most comfortable,” Djokovic said.

“I’m not too surprised with this (French Open) decision. I mean, he had a lot of matches played at the beginning of the year, and he did amazingly well.”

Djokovic faces Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the last-16 of the Italian Open on Thursday.