KEY POINTS:
PARIS - Roger Federer today said he had banished any remaining fears about the French Open and was more determined than ever to win the only Grand Slam tennis title to elude him so far.
"I've never entered Roland Garros feeling so strong mentally," the world No 1 said ahead of the Paris claycourt tournament starting on Monday (NZT).
"I'm no longer afraid of this tournament. I'm not afraid of having to play five sets, I'm not afraid about being the favourite and I want to win here more than ever."
A semifinalist two years ago and the runner-up last year, the Federer ended Rafael Nadal's record streak of 81 wins on clay with a victory over the Spaniard in the Hamburg final last weekend.
"Obviously, I'm feeling better now about my chances than I was two weeks ago," said Federer, who lost to Nadal in last year's final here and in the semifinals the year before.
The Swiss added that beating Nadal, who has a 100 per cent French Open record and has won here the past two years, would never be a formality.
"I realise that I'm not going to beat him every time," Federer said.
"To beat him on clay, you have to beat him from the baseline, play aggressively and serve well. That's not easy to do."
The 25-year-old top seed was handed a tough draw today and could run into such dangerous opponents as Juan Carlos Ferrero, Nikolay Davydenko and Guillermo Canas before a possible final against Nadal on centre court on June 10.
"My focus is not on Nadal at the moment," Federer said.
"I've seen the draw and I knew even before that I would not have to face him in the opening rounds. I have to focus on different opponents right now."
Federer, who took a short break after winning Hamburg and arrived in Paris two days ago, said Wimbledon, where he has won, the last four years, was still his favourite tournament.
"Wimbledon has given me everything," he said.
"That's where all my dreams came true. It will remain the number one tournament for me.
"That said, winning the French Open would be really nice. I'm feeling good and I'm ready to give it my best shot."
- REUTERS
