Federer Welcomes Desert Calm

© Getty ImagesRoger Federer returns to Indian Wells for a 12th straight year.

Roger Federer hasn’t always been a fan of the California desert, but now 30 and a father of two young girls, the Swiss admitted Wednesday he’s come to appreciate his visits to Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open. 

“It’s a tournament that I’ve grown to love a lot over the years,” he said. “I used to like coming here, but I wasn’t a crazy golfer when I was younger or liked the peace and calmness. I was more a guy who liked New York or Miami or sort of places where something was happening, especially as a teenager, so when I came here it was almost a bit too quiet for me.

“As time went by, I like these weeks where it’s a bit more calm, weather’s nice, things slow down a bit before the hustle and bustle in other places… Obviously with the success that I’ve had, I started to spend more time here. I got to like it a lot. It’s a good place.”

Indian Wells has been good to Federer, who won a trio of titles at this ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament from 2004-06. This year, it could also provide the World No. 3 with a chance to recharge his batteries ahead of his second-round opener against either Russian Dmitry Tursunov or American wild card Denis Kudla.

The Swiss admitted he’s “had a lot on my plate” this past month, with Davis Cup duty in Switzerland, back-to-back titles in Rotterdam and Dubai, and a stopover in New York for the BNP Paribas Showdown exhibition, but also stated, “I’ve been feeling good for some time now.”

Since a semi-final showing at the US Open, he’s compiled a 32-2 match record and five titles, including his 72nd singles trophy this past Saturday in Dubai.

“I actually came out feeling  better at the end of Dubai than I felt at the end of Rotterdam,” he said. “It’s a good thing looking ahead. I just played MSG (Madison Square Garden), and now I play here and Miami too. It’s a tough stretch, but I feel great. I’m playing well at the moment, since many months now.”