Roger Federer himself put it quite simply recently: "How can I think of winning the French Open?"
After all, the 20-time major champion will be entered in his first Grand Slam tournament in more than 15 months when play begins on the red clay of Roland Garros in the leafy southwestern outskirts of Paris on Sunday.
Consider this summary of his circumstances: Federer has accumulated more operations on his right knee (two) than victories (one, in three matches) since February 2020.
"The moment you know you're not going to win the French Open, it can't be your goal. At least at my level. So I'm just realistic and I know I will not win the French — and whoever thought I would, or could, win it is wrong," Federer said.
"Of course, crazier things might have happened. But I'm not so sure in the last 50 years at the French Open, somebody just walked up at 40 years old, being out for a year and a half, and just (went) on to win everything. ... I know my limitations at the moment."