Roger Federer will always have a chance
Former world No. 1 Ilie Nastase isn’t ready to write off Roger Federer as he thinks the Swiss will have a chance if he plays well at a Grand Slam and reaches a final. Federer, 40, underwent two major knee surgeries in 2020.
Federer returned to action last March but played just five tournaments before he was forced to undergo a third knee surgery. Federer didn’t play much last year but proved that he’s still able to compete at a high level.
Federer made the French Open round-of-16 before he gave Matteo Berrettini a walkover. At Wimbledon, Federer reached the quarterfinal before losing to Hubert Hurkacz. Rafael Nadal now owns a record 21 Grand Slams, while Federer and Novak Djokovic are tied on the second place with 20 Majors.
“He is playing very little lately, but he will always have a chance if he continues to play and reaches a final,” Nastase told Marca, as quoted on Sportskeeda.
The date of Federer’s return remains uncertain
For quite some time it has been known that we won’t see Federer during the clay season.
This week, coach Severin Luthi revealed it’s unlikely that Federer will play at Wimbledon. However, Luthi noted that it is not impossible Federer plays Wimbledon but it’s just highly unlikely. “I’m not someone who is saying it’s impossible.
But I can’t imagine it right now,” Luthi told Tages Anzeiger. “This week, to warm up, he will first hit some balls with Mirka (his wife). “He can always do more, he is actively working. He’s still in the rehabilitation phase.
“Not only do the knee and leg muscles have to be built up, the whole body has to be strengthened. It’s a full conditioning program. “The main thing for him is to slowly get back in [to the top ten]”.
Meanwhile, Federer has signed up to play the Laver Cup later this year. The Laver Cup takes place in September and Federer has expressed his desire to play doubles there with Nadal.
Source : tennisworldusa
