French Open 2013: Roger Federer Among Veterans Still Standing at Roland Garros

The common narrative in tennis is that players start to struggle after turning 30 years old. At this year's French Open, it is clear that this is simply not true.

As the event moves onto the quarterfinals, there are a number of veteran players past this age mark who are not only still alive, but are legitimate contenders at Roland Garros. While some have had an easier time than others, the only thing that matters in a Grand Slam is winning.

These aging stars have done what it takes to keep advancing at this prestigious event, and they are proving that they still have plenty left in the tank.

Tommy Robredo

No one at the French Open has shown more resolve than Tommy Robredo. The 31-year-old player has now reached the quarterfinals of this event five times in his career, but this is by far his most impressive run.

In each of his last three matches, Robredo fell behind two sets to love. Somehow, he was able to come back to win in five sets in all three contests.

According to ESPN Stats and Info, he is the first person to do that since 1927:

Not only is he displaying great mental toughness to remain in the match, but he also has shown amazing fitness to keep battling back every round. He is able to outlast his younger competition until the momentum is completely on his side.

It is also important to note that he was facing some tough competition, including Gael Monfils and Nicolas Almagro. He is now the lowest seed remaining in the event, but his ability to battle will keep him in every match.

Tommy Haas

While Robredo has made a great comeback story in more ways than one, Tommy Haas is also proving that you can win despite advanced age.

Haas is 35 years old and has gone four years since last reaching the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event. Amazingly, he has never reached this stage at Roland Garros in his long career.

Still, a relatively fortunate draw allowed him to move through the bracket with ease on the clay court. While he does not have the flare for the dramatic of Robredo, his run is just as impressive.

Tennis analyst Andrew Castle appreciates what both competitors have accomplished so far:

The veteran will have a much harder time in the next round against Novak Djokovic, but simply getting to this point is an accomplishment.

David Ferrer

Over the past year, David Ferrer has shown that it is possible to not only maintain his level of play after 30 years old, but even exceed his previous level.

The Spanish star has played his best tennis after turning 30 years old, reaching the quarterfinals of the last six Grand Slam tournaments. If he wins his next match against Robredo, it will be the fourth semifinal appearance in his last five major events.

This time around, he is looking as strong as ever with four dominant victories. He has not dropped a set in the tournament thus far, and he only lost five total games to Kevin Anderson in the fourth round.

With both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on the other side of the bracket, Ferrer has a good chance of at least reaching the finals. If he can play as well as he has so far, a first Grand Slam title is not out of the question.

Roger Federer

It appeared that Father Time was finally catching up with Roger Federer in his fourth round match against Gilles Simon when he fell behind two sets to one.

However, that is when the all-time great dug deep and came through with an impressive come-from-behind victory over the French star. Of course, it is tough to beat anyone who can make shots like this:

Federer has now reached an unmatched consistency at Grand Slam events, according to Numbers Never Lie:

The Swiss player continues to prove that it will be some time before he can truly be counted out of any event, even on his least favorite surface of clay. Regardless of how he does from this point forward, it is clear that he will still be the man to beat at Wimbledon.

Still, it would not be smart to count him out at Roland Garros, at least until his opponent is actually able to win three sets.

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