Bencic: I can learn from Federer's schedule
PARIS, France - Belinda Bencic says she can take inspiration from Roger Federer's approach to tournament selection ahead of the French Open.
The Swiss player reached the last four in Madrid this month and, after overcoming injury setbacks in recent years, admits that the approach of her compatriot Federer, who picks and chooses his tournaments to maximise his potential, inspires her.
"I can learn from that," the 22-year-old said of Federer's scheduling. "Everyone has to find their own way - he found his way that works for him. He is the master of the scheduling and doing everything so that he feels the best on the court, and that is what I am trying to learn, trying to find.
"I am trying to listen to myself and to my body, what I need time for, so I can be the best on the best tournaments - that's really important as it's impossible to play well the whole year, 25-30 tournaments; that's just impossible, so I try to focus on the main events to put my form right there, and that's something I learned from him."
Bencic admitted she could also take confidence from her showing in Madrid in the build-up to Roland Garros, where she reached the semifinals before losing to Simona Halep.
"I take a comfortable feeling of confidence," she added, having beaten Alison Van Uytvanck, Svetlana Kuznetsova and WTA World No.1 Naomi Osaka in Spain. "You stress more when you haven't played great in preparation events so for sure that stress is not there and I feel comfortable on the court. I beat some top players. It's a good feeling to come here."
