Roger Federer, who is still recovering from knee surgery last year, offered an update on his condition while watching a women’s World Cup ski competition in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, on Saturday.
The tennis star told Swiss station SRF, according to the Associated Press, that if he is able to return this year at all. It will be in late summer at the earliest. He might be able to compete in the US Open if he returns by then.
Federer, 40, hasn’t played since crashing out at Wimbledon last year. The eight-time All-England winner became the oldest man to reach the quarterfinals. He was beaten in straight sets by No. 14 seed Hubert Hurkacz, his first loss in straight sets at Wimbledon in 19 years.
Federer said in August that, he had hurt his knee during the grass-court season. He would need surgery to end the year for the second time in two years. He pulled out of the US Open and announced that he will be out of the game for “many months.”
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Roger Federer said, “I am doing well, much better. For two months I was on crutches, it was long and I had to start from scratch. But it was the right thing to do. The knee wasn’t doing well after Wimbledon,”
“Now I’m slowly getting to a phase where I can think about a comeback,” he said.
If Federer makes a comeback this summer, it’s unclear how long he’ll be able to participate. He first stated that the knee operation was being done to better his general quality of life with his family, not to return to professional tennis. Presumably, he wants to keep his knee healthy, so his return may be about stepping away from tennis on his own terms. Or it could be about preparing for a final push at his 21st Grand Slam championship.
His coach Luthi said, “At the moment, I don’t envisage him playing Wimbledon,”
“I’m not someone who is saying it’s impossible. But I can’t imagine it right now.”
“This week, to warm up, he will first hit some balls with Mirka.
In any case, it’ll be great to have Federer back when he does. Tennis is more enjoyable with him on the court, and a legend like him deserves to finish his career on his own terms.
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