“I plan to take the time to be ready to play 100% and return to my highest level,” said Roger Federer after his last arthroscopic knee operation a few weeks ago.
At 38, the Swiss has more experience than most of his fellow travelers, but he is not immune to setbacks. Rather he has a physical load that can be heavier than most ATP guys.
It was in February of this year that he needed arthroscopic intervention. He couldn’t ignore the situation much longer by explaining, “My right knee has been bothering me for a while.
I was hoping it would go away … “Federer knew he would miss 5 tournaments due to the operation. But a few months later he had to have another operation on the same knee and finally decided to drop the circuit during the whole year.
Four years ago, the Swiss had undergone his first arthroscopic surgery thinking that it would be the last, but that was not the case. Can Roger Federer make a double comeback? This is a situation to be expected.
Not being able to participate in five tournaments didn’t seem to be a problem after her surgery, but there was actually only a month left before the coronavirus pandemic struck.
The events have been postponed and some have been canceled until next year. The Swiss have had time to heal.
But the global health crisis has compounded the problems and he has said he is ending his 2020 season and will be looking forward to next year. “I will miss my fans and the tour a lot …”
he said. Given that some of the first tournaments may not have fans and that this would not have been to the advantage of Federer, it was therefore in the best interest of Switzerland not to play during the latter part of the season.
There couldn’t be anything more difficult for Federer to bear than a stadium without an audience.
The 3 major ATPs, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are dynamic.
It is the Swiss who is the only one to face the big gap.
He underwent 3 knee surgeries. He is the oldest player and he is now trying to recover without being hit like the last time. Nobody wants to leave the Swiss behind because its comeback capabilities are spectacular.
After the 2016 surgery, he returned to the tour to win his 25th championship title against Stan Wawrinka at Indian Wells. He went to get the 26th by dislodging Rafael Nadal from the Miami Masters.
Today, however, the competition is fierce, with many strong players almost half the age of Federer. Knee surgeries and the global health crisis are playing roulette with Federer’s return, and with the superb tennis performances he has shown in the past.
Will the 2021 season show a brand new Roger Federer who will be safe from knee injuries, and without all of these limitations or restrictions due to the pandemic that has been raging for months? Will his fans be allowed in the stands to represent and support him as in the past? Can Roger Federer achieve the big double comeback (after that of 2017) by adding this to his already striking tennis CV? Time will decide for many players, but for Federer, are his chances of being a top player alongside a bunch of competitive young ATP guys exhausted? He has a year to come back and, while many are looking at the situation with uncertainty, No. 1 Novak Djokovic smiles and says: “Nothing would surprise me regarding Roger Federer”
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