Doha (AFP)

Roger Federer, beaten in his second game after falling one point away from victory after more than thirteen months without competition, considers his return to the circuit as "really positive" and recalls that he is "still under reconstruction", Thursday at Doha.

"I am assuming that I will play on clay," considers the Swiss with twenty Grand Slam trophies, when asked about the rest of his season.

He will decide "within 24 hours" whether or not to take part in the Dubai tournament next week.

Q: What is your first assessment of this return?

A: "I have come from so far back that I am really happy to have been able to go two matches in three sets against some great players. It is an important step forward for me. I am not yet 100% , I can feel it, I see it, but the important thing is to be 100% for the grass season. I am still in reconstruction, it is a building block. Overall, I am satisfied how I felt on the court. Naturally I felt better physically against Dan (Evans, for his first game on Wednesday). But I'm happy with the way I played today (Thursday), from the one I played yesterday (Wednesday), I'm happy to be back on the tour. It's really positive feedback for me. "

Q: How did you feel physically the day after your first game in over a year?

A: "This morning, I was afraid to get up ... I made a phone call in bed, and afterwards, I said to myself: + Now is the time, we are going to take a few steps to see +. And it was actually not bad. Some aches came later. I felt muscle pain in my shoulder, I didn't expect it to be there, but it comes with the pressure I imagine, in a match you put that little extra something. My back was a bit stiff. Strangely, the legs, where I felt the most tired yesterday, it was better. It was positive. A day of rest ( between the two matches) maybe would have done some good, but I'm happy with how I felt throughout the match. Maybe I was missing a little pep, that little something to make a difference , but honestly I expected it. And I'm surprised how well I served throughout the tournament, for six sets, it proves that the knee is not bad anyway. Maybe I didn't. did not have all the resources

urces again, but the intention was the right one, and that is good.

Overall I find I was more consistent today (Thursday).

Yesterday (Wednesday) there were more ups and downs.

Overall my body is fine, I'm happy it could be a lot worse. "

Q: Are you going to play in Dubai next week and how do you see the rest of the season going?

A: "I will decide in the next 24 hours for Dubai, we will talk about it tonight or tomorrow (Friday). The important thing is to play matches. And what happens before the grass season, c 'is the clay court season. From that point of view, if I want to play matches, I have no choice but to play on clay. It can be good for me, as it may not be. I won't know until training. But I don't think it will be bad, honestly. I'm assuming I'm going to play on clay, the question is what? We have a vague idea , but we said to ourselves: + Let's wait for Doha and maybe Dubai to make a decision. + Anything that will help me get 100% on grass, I will. "

Interview at a press conference.

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