How it took a phone call from a president to calm Nicolas Mahut’s nerves before facing Roger Federer

In an extract from The Roger Federer Effect, Nicolas Mahut explains why mere mortals should not try to copy the way Federer played

Gwendoline Le Goff / Panoramic

Simon Cambers

May 29, 2023

The first French Open in the post-Roger Federer era began on Sunday, nine months after the Swiss officially confirmed his retirement with an emotional farewell at the Laver Cup.

The 2009 champion was always incredibly popular at Roland-Garros, sometimes to the detriment of the French crowd’s own players, so much did they love the way he played and carried himself on the court.

One man who knows what it’s like to face Federer in Paris is Nicolas Mahut, the Frenchman who will be playing in the tournament for the 23rd time, having missed only one year since his debut in 2000. At 41, Mahut’s singles days may behind him, but he remains a live threat in doubles, partnering Pierre-Hugues Herbert, with whom he won the title in 2018 and 2021.

Nicolas Mahut & Pierre-Hugues Herbert at Roland-Garros in 2021 — JB Autissier / Panoramic

“You’re French, you’re playing Roger, there’s no option”

Back in 2012, Mahut worked his way into the third round at Roland-Garros for the first time, only to find himself up against Federer, who just a month later would win his seventh Wimbledon title.

I had the pleasure to interview Mahut for The Roger Federer Effect, the book that I co-wrote with Swiss journalist Simon Graf and which was published in October of last year.

In it, Mahut revealed that he had asked to play on the slightly smaller Court Suzanne-Lenglen, instead of Court Philippe Chatrier, but was told, in no uncertain terms: “You’re French, you’re playing Roger, there is no option”.

Preparing to face Federer, Mahut was so nervous he could barely think. Thankfully, he received an unlikely request.

Mahut: “It’s a mistake to try to do what Roger’s doing”

Mahut, who will forever be best known for his 2010 Wimbledon epic battle with John Isner, an 11-hour, five-minute marathon in the first round, also said his experience of seeing Federer close-up made him realise something else.