It would be useless to deny that Roger Federer hoped to arrive at Wimbledon under very different conditions. The Swiss champion will come to London with only eight matches played for a year and a half, combined with a record far from satisfactory (five wins against three losses).
The latest loss was certainly the most alarming, as it took place on the home ground of the 20-time Grand Slam champion. For the first time since 2001, King Roger left the stage in Halle ahead of the quarter-finals.
His path was abruptly interrupted in the second round at the hands of Félix Auger-Aliassime, who left him crumbs in the second and third sets. Suffice to say that the 39-year-old Bâlois only obtained one break point over the entire match, an emblematic sign of the current difficulties of the former number 1 of the ATP.
With the exception of serve, Federer seemed far behind in all other aspects of the game, while struggling with physical stability. It is likely that the round of 16 at Roland Garros had deceived both him and his team.
Asked about the matter after his elimination from Queen’s, his former rival Andy Murray – who has had to deal with numerous injuries in recent seasons – urged the Maestro not to stop trying.
Andy Murray on Roger Federer’s status
“I don’t know exactly what Roger Federer’s situation is,” said Andy Murray after his loss to Matteo Berrettini at Queen’s.
“But I know from my own experience that it’s not easy to come back and play after such a long time away. When you’re used to playing at such a high level pretty much every time you step on the pitch for – well, for him, it’s probably been almost 20 years at the top of the game, and going out and not not play that way and probably see the moves you want to play and not be able to execute them. “
Murray said facing a player of Auger-Aliassime’s caliber would never be easy for Roger Federer, given the Canadiens’ hard-hitting style of play. “Felix is another guy who has huge serve and goes for his shots.
You know, you kind of want to get into a rhythm and that doesn’t happen, so that can be difficult, ”said Murray. “I understand why it would be frustrating for Federer, but I’m sure he will. work it out, ”Murray added.
“It’s different from playing in a Slam. It’s not the same as playing in other tournaments, and I certainly don’t think for other players like walking the pitch with someone like him at Wimbledon will be any different. Yeah, I think he’ll figure things out. ”
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