Former World No.1 and eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer has been sidelined for more than a year. The Swiss international competed in Wimbledon last year and, after falling short in the quarterfinals, made the decision to have third knee surgery to keep in shape. He stopped using crutches earlier this year and has since been receiving treatment.
Federer teases fans with training footage
After sharing a video of himself working out on the court over a year following his final match, Federer has tennis devotees in tears.
It happens as the 20-time Grand Slam champ is ready to compete in the Laver Cup upcoming month. Federer did not project himself like a player who had been in the field professionally for 24 years as he comfortably returned balls from the baseline.
On social media, one supporter enthused concerning “exceedingly athletic” veteran while others commented that “this was the best thing you’ll see today.”
Look, who’s at practice (or shooting a new ad). Mister Roger Federer. Video via his Instagram. #Federer pic.twitter.com/JV9JPWGakI
— Simon Häring (@_shaering) August 21, 2022
Tennis fans are ecstatic to witness the 41-year-old back on the tennis court after viewing the footage online. Aside from the fact that his age and recent fitness level were not really favoring him. Federer went to the All England Club’s centennial celebration of Centre Court, which included a parade of previous champions.
“I hope I can come back one more time. I’ve missed it [Wimbledon] here,” Federer said. “Of course, I’ve missed being here. I would have loved to be here. I knew walking out here last year, it was going to be a tough year ahead.
“Maybe didn’t think it was going to take me this long to come back. But the knee has been rough on me. I didn’t know if I should make the trip, but I’m happy standing right here, right now.”
It is reasonable to assume that his devoted fans are more eager than ever to witness more Federer moments with a racket in both hands this year. After the footage of him practicing and seemingly in a good fit earned more than a million likes in less than an hour after it was uploaded.
Return of the GOAT
His last match in Wimbledon caused Roger Federer to suffer from a knee injury before he eventually took a long year off.
With the recent video footage that he shared, It is quite safe to assume that he seems to have left the knee injury behind him. No wonder a lot of his fans feel relief with his condition.
Federer is set to compete with other famous tennis counterparts namely Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray in the fifth Laver Cup, which is scheduled for September 23–25.
It’s the only competition where you can play in a team environment with guys that you’re normally competing against and to be joining Rafa, Roger and Andy – three of my biggest all-time rivals,” Djokovic said last month as per Yahoo Sports Australia.
“It’s going to be a truly unique moment in the history of our sport.”
In the following month, Federer is expected to return to the Laver Cup. Though oddly enough, a month after, he was not even scheduled to play in the Basel Indoors.
After the Laver Cup in his home tournament in Basle on October 24, Federer will resume competing at the ATP level.
Federer is currently healthy enough to participate in tennis tournaments. However, he has little match experience. Additionally, it makes no sense for him to compete in his comeback event in New York, where the risks of injury are considerable and the stakes are as well.
Federer will therefore skip the US Open in favor of competing at the low-stakes Laver Cup. This season, he will maintain a minimum schedule and dedicate the remaining months to preparing for the following one.