Pros share practice court with Federer in Indian Wells

While pros practice with their fellow athletes all the time, it’s not too often you get to share some court time with someone fresh off winning their 100th title.

And who wouldn’t want some of that magic to rub off on them?

Leading up to the start of the men’s competition for seeded players in Indian Wells, some of the game’s best got a hit in with Roger Federer, fresh off his history-making run in Dubai.

Diego Schwartzman appeared to appreciate the wizardry of the five-time Indian Wells champ.

Gael Monfils, who’s having a bit of a renaissance of his own so far this season, shared a friendly shot with the centennial man.

Preparing for those prime-time matches is also important as Federer got in a night hit with Pablo Carreno Busta, who unfortunately had to withdraw from the tournament due to a shoulder injury.

Seeded fourth, Federer awaits the winner of the match between Peter Gojowczyk and Andreas Seppi. Monfils, the 18th seed, faces Leonardo Mayer in the second round, and Schwartzman, seeded 25th, will take on the Roberto Carballes Baena-Ryan Harrison winner.

It would take a lot for this to happen, but Schwartzman and Federer could potentially meet in the semifinals, while the only way either of them would see Monfils would be in the title match. It’ll be intriguing to see how a practice match with “Mr. 100,” as Monfils coined him, can pay off.

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