A blunt-speaking Ion Tiriac believes the upcoming return of Roger Federer could backfire if he is not careful.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t played a match since his quarter-final loss at Wimbledon last year due to knee surgery. Federer has had three procedures done on his knee over the past two-and-a-half years. The first two occurred during 2020 when he missed most of that season, followed by a third in 2021.
During a recent interview with the newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, Federer outlined his provisional plans for a comeback later this season. He aims to start his return in September at the Laver Cup which will take place in London. He will then travel to Basel to play at the Swiss Indoors.
Speaking about the Swiss Maestro during an interview with claytennis.com, 83-year-old Tiriac says he has some reservations about his return to action. Casting doubt on Federer’s ability to play alongside the best in the world at the age of 40.
“You can play tennis for fun. Which would be a great thing. Although, pay attention: it would be a pity if he made a fool of himself,” Tiriac commented.
“I see it as a danger because he hasn’t played for so long… And he also makes mistakes. Coming to Roland Garros last year and left saying no, that he wants to prepare for Wimbledon (note: Federer withdrew from his fourth-round match at the French Open due to his knee)… How can he afford to tell a Grand Slam like Roland Garros that he is going to leave for Wimbledon? He walks to Wimbledon directly, and he’s done. “
Tiriac played ice hockey at the 1964 Winter Olympics representing Romania before switching his focus to tennis. His biggest achievement in the sport was winning the 1970 French Open doubles title with Ilie Nastase. After retiring from the sport he ventured into business and is one of his country’s wealthiest businessmen. He is the former owner of the Madrid Open and still is part-owner of the Geneva Open.
Federer isn’t the only player to have received criticism from Tiriac who also says Novak Djokovic’s decision to not get vaccinated against COVID-19 was a ‘fatal mistake.’ Djokovic ended up being controversially deported from Australia and missed two Masters 1000 events in America due to being unvaccinated. He also claims that the Serbian lacks charisma when compared to players of the past such as John McEnroe.
“I think that Djokovic has made a fatal mistake, fatal with the issue of the vaccine. Fatal. For the image of him and all that, a pity, because he is a sensational player. He wants to be a personality, but he doesn’t have the charisma of Nastase, of McEnroe. So it’s a little more difficult. But without a doubt he is a great player and a hard worker. But he is not Nadal!” He stated.
In the eyes of Tiriac, it is Nadal who is the GOAT when asked to compare the Big Three. Nadal recently won his 22nd major title at the French Open which is two more than any other male player in the Open Era.
“In the match against Djokovic (at this year’s French Open), Nadal played very, very well. Beating Djokovic, number one in the world, in that way… No, Nadal is going to be number one in the world forever. He cannot be compared. Nor with Federer, for me.” He concluded.
