‘I might have hoped that I might be 100% in October. However I’m nonetheless not at the moment. It is going to be tight for the Australian Open.’
IMAGE: Roger Federer, who turns 40 in August subsequent 12 months, has not performed a aggressive match since dropping to Novak Djokovic on this 12 months’s Australian Open semi-finals in January. {Photograph}: Hannah Peters/Getty Pictures
Roger Federer stated his restoration from two surgical procedures on his left knee earlier this 12 months has taken longer than anticipated and he’s uncertain whether or not he will likely be prepared for the Australian Open.
Federer, who turns 40 in August subsequent 12 months, has not performed a aggressive match since dropping to Novak Djokovic on this season’s semi-finals at Melbourne Park.
The winner of 20 Grand Slam singles titles, a report he shares with Rafael Nadal, stated in October he was practising pain-free and anticipated to return to the circuit on the first Grand Slam of the 12 months.
“I might have hoped that I might be 100% in October. However I’m nonetheless not at the moment. It is going to be tight for the Australian Open,” native media quoted Federer as saying late on Sunday at an awards ceremony in Switzerland.
“The second knee operation was an enormous damper, however within the final six months there was regular progress.
“Let’s examine how the following two months will unfold. I have been doing numerous physio and bodily work these days, now let’s examine how tennis is doing.”
The Australian Open is scheduled for January 18-31 however there have been reviews it could possibly be pushed again to a February 8-21 window because of COVID-19 protocols.
Even with a three-week delay it won’t be sufficient for Federer, who has gained the Australian Open six occasions.
“It is a race towards time for the Australian Open. I am curious to see whether or not it is going to begin on February 8,” Federer stated.
“After all, it might assist if I had a bit extra time.”
Federer was voted the most effective Swiss athlete since 1950 at Sunday’s ceremony and stated it’s an “unimaginable” honour.
“I hope there may be nonetheless one thing to see from me subsequent 12 months,” he added. “But when that was it, that will have been an unimaginable ending for me at these Sports activities Awards.”
