Roger Federer’s record streak of 65 consecutive grand slam appearances could be at risk with the world number two struggling to overcome a back problem ahead of the French Open.
After pulling out of last week’s Madrid Open, Federer decided to play in Rome but was clearly not 100 per cent in a 7-6 (7/2) 6-4 loss to Dominic Thiem in the third round.
With the year’s second grand slam starting in 10 days, Federer is hopeful he will have enough time to recover.
It has been a rough year for the 34-year-old, who needed knee surgery in February after suffering a freak injury and then pulled out of his proposed comeback tournament in Miami through illness.
Federer told a press conference in Rome: “The next 10, 12 days are really going to be important for me to recover, and then make a plan.
“I’m confident and hopeful at the same time. I have only played five matches in the last four months now, so clearly I don’t want to get too overly excited about what’s ahead, but at the same time I’m a positive thinker and I believe that I’m going to recover.
“Hopefully, the next 10 days are going to be easier and I can practise really well.
“Clearly, the way I’m playing right now is never going to be enough for any good run in Paris, and then I also wouldn’t play this way. I’m still confident I will be fine somehow.”
Federer has not missed a grand slam tournament since failing to qualify for the US Open in 1999.
He won the French Open for the only time in 2009 but has failed to make it past the quarter-finals since 2012.
