Roger Federer: Win at Madrid Open Isn't Precursor for French Open Success

While I know I'm about to earn the ire of Roger Federer fans everywhere, I'm not in the mood to mince words.

So here goes: Despite his win on the blue clay at the Madrid Open, Fed-Ex will not win the upcoming French Open.

Here are a few reasons why.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and the Curse of the Blue Clay

Neither superstar liked playing on the blue clay at the Madrid Open to the point that each player said they wouldn't play the tournament next year unless it reverted back to the traditional red clay.

They weren't the only ones who didn't care for the new surface, which many of the players considered slippery and unpredictable.

Clearly, it didn't bother Federer all that much, but we also didn't see the top competitors in the world play on a surface they were comfortable on. That won't be the case at the French Open. Which brings us to point No. 2...

They Should Call It the "Nadal Open"

Federer may have vaulted past Nadal and into the No. 2 world ranking, but he doesn't hold a candle to Nadal at the Roland Garros, where Rafa has won six of the last seven tournaments.

That includes beating Federer in the final four times.

Of course, even if Federer doesn't have to deal with Nadal, he will likely have to go through Djokovic or Andy Murray at some point. Which brings us to point No. 3...

Federer Struggles Against the Top Players in the World

Federer was 2-7 against Djokovic and Nadal last year. This year, he's faced Murray and Nadal, with a win over and Murray and a 1-1 record against Nadal.

Though Murray is an up-and-coming stud, I have no doubt Federer can handle him. But he's proven less game against the Djoker and Rafa in recent play, and I'd be shocked if he didn't have to go through one of them to win the Roland Garros.

So take heart, Federer fans, after this promising win at the Madrid Open. Just don't confuse it with some sort of foreshadowing for French Open glory.

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