The Serb is a perfect 37-0 in Grand Slams, ATP World Tour Masters 1000s and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals since last November, but if you ask Federer, nine-time champion Rafael Nadal is still the favourite to hoist the Roland Garros trophy once again. Speaking to press following a 6-4, 6-3 defeat to the World No. 1, the Swiss admitted that while Djokovic is playing the best tennis of his career, there is no counting out the King of Clay in his home away from home.
"You cannot take away the past 10 years," said Federer. "It’s going to be best-of-five sets. We know how tough Rafa is physically and mentally. He is the favourite still to me. Novak at this point probably has to win, with the results he's shown this year. It feels similar to 2011 when he didn't lose the whole year.
"Maybe Rafa isn’t having the same success as before but nevertheless that remains the situation for me. But it's all talk because in the end his racquet's going to do the talking."
Despite falling to his rival, Federer, who was contesting his 129th tour-level final and 41st at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level, also believes there is another player who should be regarded as a legitimate title contender: himself.
"I don’t want to get myself too down because it was a good tournament for me...I really hope it's not just the two of them," the 2009 champion added, referring to Djokovic and Nadal. "I hope there's going to be some other guys who will be a part of that group and I hope in particular myself."
The second Grand Slam of the year commences next Sunday at Roland Garros.
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