Cautious Federer makes no promises

Roger Federer was making no promises Monday as to how long his sudden return to tennis would last this season, saying he's only looking as far ahead as this week's Madrid Masters.

Less than a fortnight after withdrawing from Stockholm to rest, the world number two faces a first-round clash on Wednesday night in Spain against Czech Radek Stepanek as the Swiss tests the waters on his fitness.

"The season was long and I felt very tired, I needed some rest," he said by way of explanation for his break after the Davis Cup in September.

"But I'm still not sure how much I need. I took the time off, trained again (in Dubai) and looked at how I felt."

MADRID, Tuesday, AFP