World No. 2 Roger Federer has backed Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka to make a winning comeback in 2018. The Swiss great, who himself made a stunning return to action after a six-month injury layoff by winning the 2017 Australian Open is confident the trio will find success in the upcoming year.
When asked to share his views on Djokovic, Stan and Murray’s returns, the 19-time Grand Slam winner replied: “Well, you always got to expect a slow process. Then if it goes fast, that’s great.”
“Look, we all had to take time off. I didn’t choose to take the time off last year. You make me look like a genius sometimes. You take time off, you come back, you’re good again. That’s not how it goes.”
“I think if we could have played, we all would have played. So it’s not like by choice that we probably did this, or I’d say maybe — I don’t know. I think we all couldn’t play. That’s a problem to start off with.”
“Coming back is always a challenge for the body. It’s a challenge for the team because you got to be extremely patient yet positive. Not so easy, you know, in some instances.”
“So I expect obviously from the likes who have been extremely high up in the rankings, who have won Slams, like Stan, Andy and Novak, of course I expect greatness from them. ‘When they return at some stage, not maybe from the very beginning. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it worked out for them as well like it worked out for me. And Rafa, so…”
Other than Murray, Djokovic and Wawrinka, the likes of Kei Nishikori, Tomas Berdych and Milos Raonic will also be back in action after breaking down with injuries in 2017 and Roger believes that these guys will have a tough time on the ATP Tour.
The others, I have no idea exactly what’s problem is. I hope also Kei, Tomas and Milos all find their way back on tour and prefer to be in Australia because that would make it quite epic, comeback for all the guys.”
“Then you mix them together with the new guys from the World Tour Finals here who have just come off a great year, obviously are confident, want to stay in the top 10, want to make the World Tour Finals again.”
“They are sort of weaving their way in. Not so fast, guys, we also want to make it. You have the young guys coming through. ‘I think it could be a very cool start to the year, which I’m really looking forward to.”
