STUTTGART, June 11, 2017

Sunday’s order of play at the MercedesCup featured four final round matches of the qualifying but the highlight of the day was a practice session, as Roger Federer returned to the courts in hot and sunny conditions in Stuttgart.

The maestro back on grass – first practice session even part of the official OOP. #MercedesCup pic.twitter.com/hkHxhyIC1W

— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) 11. Juni 2017

On 1:35pm and in front of several hundred fans, the 35-year-old Swiss Maestro stepped on centre court alongside his good friend Tommy Haas to enjoy a first practice session and sharing some laughs with his practice partner on the grass at the TC Weissenhof. The two fan favourites were entertaining the crowd for about one and half hour.

“I had a great week here last year although it probably rained more than it will do this week. Here are a lot of nice people in Stuttgart and tournaments in Germany are always organized very well. It is also not too far from Switzerland and I hope for some support from Swiss spectators here on Wednesday,” Federer told after his practice. He made it to the semi-finals in Stuttgart on debut last year, falling in three sets to Dominic Thiem. This year, Federer skipped the entire clay court season to focus on the grass court swing.

“I am really pleased with my physical condition. I have already completed the entire fitness part of the training and the only thing missing right now is playing matches. I am really looking forward to be back on the court.”

Federer will be the top-seed at the ATP 250 event and could face Haas for his opening match in the second round. The German veteran will open his Stuttgart campaign against Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert on Tuesday. Federer will play his first match on Wednesday. It will be the first appearance for the former World No. 1 on the ATP World Tour since lifting the trophy at the Miami Open in April. Federer is competing in his first tournament on European soil this season.

Photo Gallery (by Florian Heer)