There are fresh doubts over Roger Federer’s return to tennis later this month after a leading Swiss publication quoted sources as suggesting that his recovery is going slower than hoped.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t played a competitive match since his quarter-final loss to Hubert Hurkacz at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships due to a knee injury. 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. The third was shortly after Wimbledon last year.
Earlier this year the 41-year-old said he aims to return to action at the fourth edition Laver Cup which will take place in London at the end of this month. The team tournament features Europe taking on the rest of the world over three days. Named after tennis great Rod Laver, it was co-founded by Federer’s management company Team8. After the Laver Cup, he hopes to play at the Swiss Indoors in Basel.
However, these plans could be in jeopardy. Newspaper Tages Anzeiger has reported that the Swiss Maestro hasn’t been able to train at a high intensity as he had hoped to do. There is speculation that water could once again be showing around the knee area which would explain the ongoing issue Federer is facing. Although this hasn’t been publicly confirmed by either him or a member of his team.
It is possible that Federer could opt to play at the Laver Cup but in a reduced capacity. However, he could encounter some difficulties. At present, the tournament rulebook states that every player must play at least one singles match over the first two days. Meaning that he will not be allowed to play in just one doubles match. Although it is plausible that changes to the rules could be made leading up to the event to facilitate Federer’s return. Organizers will likely be inclined to do so due to the mass attention Federer will generate for the event.
News of a possible setback for the former world No.1 once again raises questions about how much longer he might be able to continue playing before stepping away from the sport for good.
“Tennis is part of, but not my entire identity. I want to be and remain successful, and put a lot of energy into business – probably give more than I should sometimes, but that can also be done outside of sports. I know a professional career can’t last forever and that’s okay.” Federer said during an interview with Algemeen Dagblad earlier this year.
Federer has spent 310 weeks as world No.1 and has won 103 Tour titles. He has won 369 Grand Slam matches which is more than any other male player in history.
The Laver Cup will begin on September 23rd.
