Roger Federer reveals his inner demons and French Open fears

At 37, Roger Federer is the oldest man since 1971 to reach the French Open quarter-finals — but the first thing he contemplated when returning to Roland Garros was unthinkable in most people’s minds.

Federer salutes the crowd after beating Argentina's Leonardo Mayer. Picture: AFP

• The 15 greatest athletes of the 21st century
• ‘Is this a joke?’: Rival shafted for Serena

When Roger Federer decided to return to the French Open after a four-year absence, the first thing he contemplated was the unthinkable in most people’s minds — first-round defeat.

Shedding more light on the modest inner workings of a man who has won more grand slam singles titles than any other, Federer revealed his fears after surging into the Roland Garros quarter-finals.

At 37, Federer is the oldest man since Hungarian Istvan Gulyas in 1971 to reach the last eight in Paris after banishing Argentine Leonardo Mayer 6-2 6-3 6-3, earning him a record 54th grand slam quarter-final.

Roger Federer has opened up about the self doubts he had leading into this year’s French Open. Picture: AFP

Yet to drop a set here, Federer will face friend and protégé Stan Wawrinka for a semi-final place after Wawrinka eliminated Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (8-6) 5-7 6-4 3-6 8-6.

Explaining his fears on returning to Roland Garros, Federer said: “I am a normal guy, and I have to know what is the worst-case scenario.

“I have to plan both ways always. You need to be brutally honest with yourself sometimes.

“To some extent the unknown on the clay here was still high, so losing first round in straight sets was a scenario, as for any match I played in the last 20 years.

“But I'm ready for the battle, and I'm here to fight. I'm not going to go without trying.

“Of course the hope was to go deep, and I'm in the quarters now, so I'm very, very happy at this point.”

Federer salutes the crowd after beating Argentina's Leonardo Mayer. Picture: AFP

Federer had a laugh at Dominic Thiem’s expense after the Austrian was ejected from the media interview room to accommodate a brooding Serena Williams.

Thiem was ropeable at the treatment.

Federer sympathised with Thiem.

“I don't know what went wrong, but something went wrong for this to happen,” Federer said.

“I think there is, with all the players, always a way to go that, you know, the one who is still in the tournament gets priority.

“Anyway, that's how I see it.

Serena Williams sparked a furore after she booted Dominic Thiem out of his press conference. Picture: Getty

“If I would have lost today against Mayer, I would let Mayer go first or decide when he wants to go to press as he's got a next match.

“My next match is far, far away. So that's just the way you go about it.

“Now, there must have sure been a misunderstanding or maybe they should have kept Serena still in the locker room, not waiting here in the press centre.

“I don't know exactly what happened. I understand Dominic's frustration.

Thiem celebrates his victory over Pablo Cuevas. Picture: Getty

“For him it's just about how in the world did this happen? I don't think he's mad at Serena or anybody.

“I just think it was an unfortunate situation that I thought was funny (laughter) and we joked about it just before.

“That's why I'm very much aware of what happened, and that's why we are laughing in the locker room about it now.”

Revitalised Wawinka is excited about jousting with his friend Federer.

“To play Roger in quarter-final, it's something, for sure, amazing for me.,” he said.

“I'm really happy. I didn't play here for so many years. He's still playing so well. He's the best player to ever play this sport. So it's going to be a big challenge.”