2011 French Open: 5 Reasons Roger Federer Won't Win at Roland Garros

Roger Federer is regarded as one of the best tennis players in the history of the game.

Recently though, he hasn't played like one of the greats.

His losses are more common, his wins are less dominating and other players are playing better right now—all are reasons why he has struggled in 2011.

If I have three choices to win the French Open, Federer still deserves to be on the list.

1. Nadal

2. Djokovic

3. Federer

These are the reasons why Federer won't win the French Open:

Note: Some of the statistics used in this list come from ESPN.com and Yahoo.com.

No. 5: Clay Isn't His Best Surface

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MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 07: Roger Federer of Switzerland walks off court after losing Rafael Nadal of Spain during day eight of the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open Tennis on May 7, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Although Federer is known for being great on all surfaces, his clay game is a level below.

One of the main reasons Federer doesn't dominate the surface is because of the emergence of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Nadal has dominated opponents on clay, especially Federer.

Djokovic has really come into his own this season, and he is playing exceptional tennis.

Djokovic recently defeated Nadal twice on clay.

Federer is 6-3 on clay in 2011, according to Yahoo.com

In his past three clay tournaments, Federer hasn't even been able to reach the finals.

No. 4: He's Been Struggling

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MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 07: Roger Federer of Switzerland wipes his face in his match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during day eight of the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open Tennis on May 7, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Struggling is an understatement for Federer.

According to ESPN.com he has lost 174 matches throughout his career, and 13 of those losses have been in 2011.

At the Australian Open, Federer lost to Novak Djokovic in straight sets 6-7 (3-7), 5-7, 4-6.

ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships—Lost to Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 2-6.

ATP Sony Ericsson Open—Lost to Rafael Nadal 3-6, 2-6.

ATP Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters—Lost to Jurgen Melzer 4-6, 4-6.

ATP Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open—Lost to Nadal 7-5, 1-6, 3-6

ATP Internazionali BNL d'Italia—Lost to Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 6-7 (4-7).

No. 3: He's Had Little Success at Roland Garros

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MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 07: Roger Federer of Switzerland shakes hands with Rafael Nadal of Spain after Nadal won in 3 sets during day eight of the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open Tennis on May 7, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Success for Federer isn't making a final—it is winning the tournament.

He has been able to make the finals at the French regularly, but he has struggled to win the tournament.

His one and only French Open title came when he defeated Robin Soderling in 2009.

Soderling returned the favor in 2010, defeating Federer in the quarterfinals.

He is 6-3 on clay this season, which isn't very good.

No. 2: He's Past His Prime

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MONACO - APRIL 15: Roger Federer of Switzerland looks down in his match against Jurgen Melzer of Austria during Day Six of the ATP Masters Series Tennis at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 15, 2011 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Julian Finney/Ge

Federer is 29. In tennis, that is equal to a 35-year-old basketball player.

Players can overcome age though, especially if they are one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

He can overcome his age and possibly win the French Open, but there is no doubt he's past his prime.

He has been used to being the No. 1 overall player in the world. Nadal replaced him in that sense, but now Federer isn't even second—Djokovic is.

He is losing more often than ever before, and we are only about half way through the season.

He turned pro in 1998, meaning he has been playing professional tennis for 13 years. This amount of tennis wears down players, hence the short shelf life.

No 1: He's More Capable of Being Upset

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MONACO - APRIL 15: Jurgen Melzer of Austria shakes hands with Roger Federer of Switzerland after Melzer won in straight sets during Day Six of the ATP Masters Series Tennis at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 15, 2011 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. (Photo

Federer has been more capable of being upset than ever before.

You used to be able to pencil him in the finals every season, but I am not sure you can do that this year.

It will depend on certain matchups, but people are believing they can play with Federer.

It almost reminds me of Tiger Woods. People now believe they can compete with him—his mystique is gone.

Federer isn't to that point quite yet, but I think we are seeing glimpses of just that.