May 30, 2021 -- Paris, France

20-time Grand Slam Champion, Roger Federer, took to the courts at Roland Garros to begin his 2021 French Open campaign.
Roger returned to Grand Slam competition for the first time since the 2020 Australian Open. He looked to be in good form as he took on the Qualifier from Uzbekistan, Denis Istomin, in the first round. Swinging freely, Roger looked comfortable dictating points on the clay and won the match in just 93 minutes, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3.

“I just felt overall much clearer, much better,” he said. “I think getting used to tournament and match rhythm again, the whole thing with the towels there, the shot clock there, everything that goes with it.”

Roger will face Marin Cilic in the second round.

“I feel really hopeful. As I say, you could see it today in the match, I’m feeling that here, at least this year with this weather, with these balls, I can play like on hard courts. It doesn’t feel different than Australian Open for me coming into this tournament. Now when I’m coming to these big tournaments feeling like this, I know I’m capable of doing big things.”