French Open 2011: 10 Reasons Roger Federer Won't Bounce Back

Roger Federer hasn't been as dominant of late. He has struggled in 2011, and other than 2009, he hasn't had too much success at the French Open.

Expect Federer to continue to struggle against the top-flight French Open contenders this tournament.

These are the 10 reasons why Roger Federer won't bounce back at Roland Garros.

No. 10: It Doesn't Feel Like Federer's Time

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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)

Other players like Rafael Nadal and especially Novak Djokovic seem ready to take the French Open this year. It doesn't feel that Federer has what it takes to win it.

He, for sure, has enough to make a final, but I don't feel he is ready to win his second French Open.

No. 9: Clay Isn't His Best Surface

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PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 23: Roger Federer of Switzerland slides to play a forehand during the men's singles first round match between Feliciano Lopez of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland on day two of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 23, 2011 in

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 Nadal and 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 7-3 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. 8: His Mystique Is Gone

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MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 04: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates defeating Feliciano Lopez of Spain during day five of the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open Tennis on May 4, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Federer beat opponents before even taking the court on most occasions. Those players understood what they were up against. He is one of the best players to ever play the game, and he intimidated opponents before ever taking a stroke.

Now, not only do people believe they can play with Federer, but they believe they can beat Federer.

No. 7: His Confidence Level Is Low

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KEY BISCAYNE, FL - APRIL 01: Roger Federer of Switzerland wipes sweat off of his forehead against Rafael Nadal of Spain during their men's semifinal match at the Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 1, 2011 in Key Biscayne, Florida.

Federer's confidence is nowhere near where it used to be. He has been struggling of late, and seems more beatable than ever before.

If Djokovic's confidence is a 10, Federer's is at a five.

No. 6: He's Been Struggling

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MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 07: Roger Federer of Switzerland during his semi final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain on day seven of the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open Tennis on May 7, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Struggling is an understatement for Federer. According to Yahoo.com, Federer has lost seven times this year:

Australian Open: Federer lost to 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 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. 5: He's Had Little Success at Roland Garros

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PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 23: A general view of Court Phillippe Chatrier as Roger Federer of Switzerland serves during the men's singles first round match between Feliciano Lopez of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland on day two of the French Open at Roland

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 7-3 on clay this season, which isn't great.

No. 4: He's Past His Prime

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MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 07: Roger Federer of Switzerland looks down 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)

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 halfway 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. 3: Rafael Nadal

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PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during the men's singles round one match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and John Isner of USA on day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 24, 2011 in Paris, France. (Photo by Cl

Nadal has been the nemesis for Federer.

When Federer won the French Open in 2009, Soderling was his opponent and that was the year Nadal was upset.

He dominates the clay surface better than anybody in tennis. Nadal will be favored if they are to meet this year.

No. 2: 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 into 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 the point of Tiger quite yet, but I think we are seeing glimpses of just that.

No. 1: Novak Djokovic

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ROME, ITALY - MAY 15: Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds the trophy aloft after his victory in the final against Rafael Nadal of Spain during day eight of the Internazoinali BNL D'Italia at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on May 15, 2011 in Rome, Italy. (Pho

Djokovic doesn't seem like he is ready to lose anytime soon. He has won 40 straight matches, and has yet to lose this season.

Federer lost to Djokovic in the Australian Open and if they met in the French Open, things will most likely be the same.

He is playing some of the best tennis you will ever see, and he looks ready to win the French Open.