Since the start of 2020, Roger Federer and Andy Murray have won just 16 matches combined, battling injuries and staying off the pitch for many months. Andy and Roger took a win at Queen’s and Halle this week and will try to improve their game before Wimbledon, where they have both been successful in the past.
Speaking of Roger this week, Andy said he understands how frustrating it is when you can’t find your best shots after being on top for two decades. The Briton backs the Swiss to find his best tennis again and fight for big titles, praising Felix Auger-Aliassime, who defeated Federer in the second round in Halle.
Roger suffered a knee injury at the beginning of the previous season, played only the Australian Open and missed the rest of the year after undergoing two surgeries.
Roger returned this March in Doha and defeated Daniel Evans in the second round before squandering a match point against Nikoloz Basilashvili in the quarter-finals. Taking another break, Federer embraced the clay swing in May and blew a 4-2 lead against Pablo Andujar at home in Geneva.
On the way to Paris, Roger entered his first Major in nearly 500 days and scored three wins to regain confidence. Roger defeated Denis Istomin and Marin Cilic to advance to the third round, facing Dominik Koepfer and defeating the German 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 in three hours and 35 minutes.
Federer earned one more point and sealed the deal with a late break in the fourth set to become the oldest player to reach the fourth round in Majors since 1978! The Swiss prevailed with a late break in the fourth set before retiring from the fourth-round clash against Matteo Berrettini to keep his knee at Halle and Wimbledon.
Seeking Halle’s 11th crown, Federer beat Ilya Ivashka in the opening match before losing to Felix Auger-Aliassime in three sets, unhappy with his level and hoping to improve at Wimbledon in two weeks.
Roger Federer is being regarded by some as the second seed at Wimbledon this year, right behind Novak Djokovic. But Federer has yet to prove his consistency since he returned from double knee surgery and has suffered some surprising losses this year.
“His physical condition is fine, but he’s missing a game of games,” Todd Woodbridge said. “That time out of the game is not easy and in Halle, in his opening tournament, it came out for Felix Auger-Aliassime, the young Canadian.
He will be disappointed that he has no more matches to his credit on the pitch. The hardest part of Halle, absolutely zero crowds, and that’s not good for Roger, “added the Australian.”
He feeds on that and I think when he plays against opponents, they also feel like the crowd is going for him. ”
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