Australian Open 2022: Roger Federer sidelined for seven months

The end of his career doesn’t phase Roger Federer, he is mentally prepared for what is coming. He opens up about retirement and his legacy.

Roger Federer’s coach has hinted he will miss the Aus Open

Roger Federer has expressed considerable doubt over his participation at Wimbledon next year, saying he would be “incredibly surprised” if he were ready to return to the court in seven months after recently undergoing a third operation on his troublesome right knee.

In a detailed update on his physical status, the 40-year old Swiss confirmed that he will not appear at January’s Australian Open.

Yet there will also be relief for his many fans after he insisted that he is eager to play again at some point soon. Retirement is not yet on the cards.

“I would be incredibly surprised if I were to play again already at Wimbledon [next year],” Federer told the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger. “Australia is not an option at all. But that’s no surprise for me. Even before the operation, we knew that a break of many months would be necessary afterwards.

“I wanted to wait for the first major check-up before making a public statement and the check-up was very encouraging. I have started a long rehabilitation process in which I [will] put all my heart and soul.

Roger Federer is set for another lengthy lay-off

“But the situation is not the same as in 2016 [when he returned from surgery on his left knee after a six-month absence]. I have to be patient.

“As far as my sporting ambitions are concerned, I want to see once again what I can achieve as a tennis pro.

“I’m fighting for it and I’m very motivated. I feel the support of my team and my family. We all wish that I can say goodbye on my own terms and on a court.

“I have experienced similar challenges many times in my career, sometimes without the public being aware of it. And even though I know that the end is near, I want to try to play some big matches again. It won’t be easy, but I will try.

“My world will not collapse if I never play in another grand-slam final. But it is my ultimate dream to return once again. And in fact, I still believe in it. I believe in these kinds of miracles. I have already experienced them.”

I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES

The 40-year-old’s last appearance in a major final was against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in 2019

Federer revealed that it is his medial meniscus - a part of the knee joint which acts as a shock absorber for the impact of the upper leg on the lower leg - that has caused him problems.

He first had surgery on it in February last year, before further complications forced him to undergo a similar procedure four months later.

He returned to action in March but played only 13 matches in four months, ending with a quarter-final defeat by Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon in July.

“The examinations after the grass season revealed that my right inner meniscus was injured again,” Federer said. “It had to be stitched, which required a certain period of immobilisation, and the doctors took the opportunity to treat my cartilage as well.

“The doctors say that I will be able to jog lightly in January and gradually return to the court, gently. They don’t know, but I’ve already been playing a bit of tennis with the kids. Then in March or April, I can start training again in a tennis-like way.

Roger Federer will not play the Aus Open or Wimbledon

FOR MY CHILDREN

“I had this operation done so that I could ski with my children [Federer has two sets of twins, aged 12 and seven] or play football or tennis in the future. My primary motivation was to get back in shape for my normal life. But I wanted to approach this rehabilitation with the mentality and body of a top athlete.”

Returning to competition in this phase of his life will be the greatest challenge Federer has faced. If he does not play at Wimbledon next year, then he will be 41 years old by the time he next takes part in a major tournament. Simply contesting another match would be a triumph in itself, never mind winning seven over the course of a fortnight to add to his 20 grand-slam titles.

As it stands, Federer’s last act was somewhat humiliating: he lost the final set against Hurkacz at Wimbledon 6-0, which was only the second time he had failed to win a game in a set since the turn of the century. He is clearly eager to end his career on a better note.

“I think that every athlete should decide for himself,” Federer said. “There is no right time to retire. There is only the time that suits each individual athlete.

“It is a very personal decision.

“What kind of image will people remember of me? My last set at Wimbledon last July? Or my grand-slam titles and what it triggered in them when they watched me? My money is on the latter. For a few years now, I’ve been relaxed about that.

“But I understand the fans’ feelings. It would be easy for me to say, ‘I’ve given a lot and received a lot. Let’s stop here.’ But me investing everything to come back is also my way of saying thank you.

“My fans deserve better than the image of my last grass season.”

FEDERER OUT OF AUS OPEN

The Australian Open looks set to go ahead in 2022 without Roger Federer.

It will be the second consecutive year the Swiss maestro is absent from the opening slam of the season as he continues his recovery from a third round of knee surgery.

The news will come as a blow to the tournament organisers and his adoring fans amid fears the 20-time grand slam winner - who turned 40 in August - will consider retirement.

In a bid to play down fears we have seen the last of Federer, his coach Ivan Ljubicic said: “Roger Federer is very unlikely to play the Australian Open. He is 40 and doesn’t recover as fast as before. But he wants to compete again and won’t retire all of a sudden.

“We will be able to see Roger again next year. I don’t know when exactly, but he is undergoing rehabilitation.

“He is recovering slowly, he is not in a hurry.”

Earlier this month, Federer was asked about retirement and what he would imagine to the best way to end his incredible career.

Roger Federer is unlikely to be at the Australian Open

“There is no perfect moment for retirement. I wish I could choose by myself. I am sure I will know, when the moment has come,” he said.

“It will be a smooth transition.I am not afraid of the time after my professional career. It will be a smooth transition. Mirka (his wife, Miroslava) and I managed the life balance between tennis, family and friends incredibly well. That is what almost makes me most proud. Because what is ultimately really important in life?

“Today I think: Am I crazy? I still play tournaments myself at 40 and find it difficult to quit!”

THE END OF AN ERA

While not an enormous surprise, Federer’s absence is a blow to those in Australia hoping to see the “big three” of Nadal Federer and Djokovic compete against one another one last time at Melbourne Park with no guarantees the Swiss or Spanish stars will play on.

Nadal has made clear his intentions to play in January’s slam despite his ongoing injury battles but question marks remain over whether Novak Djokovic will be vaccinated and permitted to enter Victoria.

Djokovic, who refuses to make public his vaccination status, has said he will wait for confirmation from tennis Australia on the tournament rules before making a decision.

“Right now we don’t have any official announcement or statement,” said Djokovic. “So until that’s out, I won’t be talking about this any more.

“When official condition requirements to travel to Australia and play in Australia are out, then obviously I’ll see what I personally do with that, and also the bigger group of the players because the situation is obviously different in Australia than most parts of the world.”

Originally published as Australian Open 2022: Roger Federer sidelined for seven months