Ferreira: Federer 'too negative' on clay

Grand Slam veteran Wayne Ferreira has rubbished Roger Federer’s chances of claiming his first French Open title at Roland Garros this week.

The feisty South African – who played in a record 56 consecutive majors between 1991 and 2004 – insists Rafael Nadal remains a cut above the world number one on clay.

And despite Federer’s first victory over Nadal on the surface in the Hamburg Masters last month, Ferreira insists only an unfortunate mishap will deny Nadal another crown.

Ferreira told the Blackrock Tennis Champions podcast: “Until Rafa either falls over, gets injured or quits, Roger Federer is not going to win the French Open.

“He (Federer) has become too negative on clay. He doesn’t serve and volley enough. He needs to come in more against these guys. He has taken a step back rather than forward, whereas Rafael has improved his game more.”

Neither player has dropped a set yet in this year’s tournament. Federer meets Tommy Robredo in the quarter-finals while Nadal takes on former winner and fellow Spaniard Carlos Moya.

Meanwhile, former Wimbledon winner Michael Stich believes Nadal is ready to mount another serious challenge to Federer at the All England Club this year.

Stich said: “I think Rafa will win Wimbledon before Roger wins the French because he is improving his game so intensively on other surfaces.

“Roger needs the weather to be hot to win the French, and he needs to play his own game. He needs to improve his clay-court game still.

“The good thing about Rafa is that he is eager to learn. He plays doubles now as well. I think the greatest player will be the man who wins most on all surfaces.”