Twelve months ago, when asked who would be the player to watch in 2020, Roger Federer chose the young Russian Andrey Rublev. The 20-time Grand Slam champion was not wrong, as Andrey won the first five ATP titles of the season behind us, counting for 41 ATP victories and securing the place in the top 10 at the end of the year. .
Still in good shape, the Russian competed in top-level competitions at the start of the season and again when it resumed in August. Andrey won three ATP 500 titles in September and October and competed in back-to-back Grand Slam quarter-finals, earning enough points to secure a place in the ATP Finals for the first time.
On the other hand, Roger Federer had the shortest season of his career, only playing at the Australian Open and undergoing two knee operations in February and May. Speaking of Roger, Andrey said he will follow his comeback closely and learn from his punches as he wants to play well after his 30s as well as the Swiss.
At 38 in August 2019, Federer was still among the players to beat, winning four ATP titles and wasting two match points in the Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic. Roger finished the previous season in the top 3 behind Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, hoping to win more in 2020 and starting the season at the Australian Open.
Federer had to work hard to survive until the semi-final, passing two tough obstacles to show his greatness and determination.
Andrey Rublev will follow Roger Federer’s return next season.
In the quarter-finals, Roger saved seven match points against Tennys Sandgren in the fourth set, winning in five sets and getting off to a good start against Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals before falling in three sets.
It was his last official game of the season. He battled a knee injury and had surgery a few weeks later. Unable to relieve the pain, Roger had to undergo another operation in May, skipping the rest of the season and making a fresh start in 2021.
Federer is currently in Dubai, where he is working hard with his coach Ivan Ljubic and hopes to prepare for the Australian Open which starts on February 8. “I can’t wait to see Roger Federer’s return.
At 39, he’s trying to bounce back from a terrible knee injury, and I’ll be watching his progress closely. Roger’s experience can serve as an example for me, as I want to extend my career and play well after I turn 30, “said Andrey Rublev.
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