Roger Federer reckons he felt the love of the French public sweep over him when made a long-awaited return to competitive action in Paris to launch his bid for a 100th career title.

Federer, who hasn’t competed in Paris at either the French Open or indoor Masters since 2015, received a standing ovation on Thursday after making a winning comeback in Bercy following his late decision to compete after his 99th triumph in Basel on Sunday.

Before and after defeating Fabio Fognini 6-4 6-3 to move into the quarter-finals, the 37-year-old looked touched by the reception in the arena and responded by “saluting” the crowd in an on-court address.

“I hope you have understood that the French public missed you very much,” one reporter told him after his hit-and-miss but eventually comfortable win, to which Federer responded: “It was wonderful to have such a welcome from the French public.”

Federer had originally been scheduled to return on Wednesday but his opponent, Milos Raonic, pulled out because of injury, which Federer thought was a blessing in disguise.

“It gave me an extra day of rest, which I needed because one shouldn’t have too many matches in a row,” he said, adding he had enjoyed “a massage and a nice dinner” instead of playing.

He said he was trying to play in Paris without pressure and his major concern was regaining the ATP World Tour title in London later this month.

“If it turns out well (this week), good. If it doesn’t, well, too bad. I tried. It’s good to play in a relaxed manner for once, to find something in my game that could help me out for London,” he said.