The tennis world is looking forward to Roger Federer’s return to the field next year. The Swiss phenomenon is absent from the 2020 Australian Open circuit, having undergone double surgery on his right knee that caused him to prematurely close his season.
Thanks to the new ranking system introduced to deal with the dire consequences of the global pandemic, the 20-time Grand Slam champion has maintained a place in the Top 5. The former world No. 1 is training in Dubai at the moment, hoping to be able to return 100% in time for the start of the Australian Open.
In fact, the 2021 edition of the Oceanic Major will take place from February 8-21, to allow all players to travel to Australia and perform the mandatory two weeks of quarantine. Andrey Rublev hopes to see Federer in action again.
The current ATP No. 8 won five titles in 2020, qualifying for the ATP Finals in London for the first time in his career.
Rublev talks about Roger Federer’s return
Andrey Rublev made the comments in an interview with the Spanish newspaper MARCA.
“I really want to see how (Roger Federer) does it,” Rublev said. “Never in history has there been a case like Roger Federer’s and I want to see what happens because it can serve as an example. I also want to extend my career as long as possible.
I don’t see myself retiring at 30. “Rublev went on to talk about Rafael Nadal’s historical tally of 13 French Open titles, stating that a record like that makes everyone else aspire to greatness as well.
The Russian faced Nadal at the recent Nitto ATP Finals in London, but was defeated by the Spanish in straight sets. “What comes to mind is that if someone is capable of winning a Grand Slam 13 times, they should try to win it at least once,” Rublev said.
“I couldn’t take the pressure (playing Nadal in the ATP Finals),” he added. “When I showed my emotions from the beginning of the game, I knew it was over. I feel like one of the top 10 guests,” Rublev said.
“To really feel like one of them, I have to find consistency and that means being in that position for a couple of years. You can say that Thiem, Zverev or Medvedev have deserved to be there.”
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