Roger Federer In Doubt For Australian Open

by Staff | December 14th, 2020, 10:12 pm
  • 9 Comments

Following two surgeries on his right knee earlier this year, Roger Federer looked certain to return to the Australian Open in January. Not anymore. In a speaking appearance at the Swiss Sports Awards, the Swiss revealed his recovery isn’t as quick as he would like, and he might not be ready to play in Melbourne, though the later start could help him.

“I would have hoped that I would be 100% in October,” Federer said. “But I am still not today. It will be tight for the Australian Open.

“It’s a race against time for the Australian Open. I’m curious to see whether it will start on February 8. Of course, it would help if I had a bit more time.”


Federer who hasn’t played since Melbourne last year, even hinted he may be done.

“I hope there is still something to see from me in the new year,” Federer said. “We will see. But, if that was it, it would have been an incredible end to these sports awards for me.”

The 20-time Grand Slam champion turns 40 next August. The 6-time Australian Open champion will benefit from as late a start as possible for the first Slam of 2021. Right now, the tournament has yet to confirm a date though February 8 is a strong possibility.


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9 Comments for Roger Federer In Doubt For Australian Open

chrisford1 Says:

Retirement speculation after Federer remarked that if he ended his career going out with an award of being Switzerland’s finest athlete the last 70 years would be a great highlight to leave on.
Doubtful, IMO. Fed will wait until after the AO, hopefully his knee will be good enough to play for a swan song at Wimbledon and work with UniQlo on his 300 million deal going into it’s “Fed is transitioning to retirement” phase.
Fans will back a “retire in glory” tour even if Fed is no longer able to “win the big ones”.
Ironic Djokovic deprived him of a last bit of Wimbledon glory, just like, 10 years previously, Fed shut down Andy Roddicks best chance at glory at another major at Wimbledon – in an equally as painful a loss.

December 16th, 2020 at 4:51 pm


Madmax Says:

Chris,

No one has deprived Fed of anything and if you see it that way, then I feel sorry for you. Novak has earned every slam he has worked for, and there is enough for everyone. If Fed never played another match in his life, he can think to himself, what a wonderful life I have had, and still have, moving forwards to another part of his tennis career.

Fed, the best, always.

He has had an incredible career, I doubt very much whether he has any regrets. Hopefully 2021 will be a great year for him, and if not, the Fed fans will stand by his side forever. Win another slam or not. It does not matter. He has made us all very, very proud.

December 16th, 2020 at 6:01 pm


Alison Hodge Says:

This is funny https://youtu.be/GfEj9R8mrAI …..

December 16th, 2020 at 6:53 pm


SG1 Says:

Playing until 38 or 39 is crazy but it would still be sad for him that his career ended due to injury rather than on his own terms. How great would it have been to win Wimbledon (or one last USO) and then hang’em up like Pete did?

December 19th, 2020 at 6:27 pm


skeezer Says:

Congrats Mr. Federer for ANOTHER ATP Fan Fav award. And another one to Nadal for garnering the Sportsmanship award! Tough year for tennis, but its obvious the fans and the tour still appreciate you both.

December 21st, 2020 at 8:06 pm


chrisford1 Says:

This coming year Rafa will pass Fed in Majors won, Djokovic will pass him in weeks at #1, but fret not, Skeezer. No one will ever touch the number of the ATP award akin to “Miss Congeniality” awards given at pageants. In fact, even after Fed retires, they may still vote him as fan fav several more times. Nice the “Meastro” will have that solace. And he will always have that 23 straight semis made at Majors, and several other records of less significance.

December 22nd, 2020 at 9:19 pm


Rob Says:

@chrisford1

You are a real piece of work

How do you live with yourself?

December 23rd, 2020 at 1:39 pm


Madmax Says:

Let’s hope so, hey Chris? Who would love the award, Miss Congeniality, more than Fed? He will be smiling from ear to ear, for sure!

Good luck to whoever passes Fed in Majors, this is the gold standard of tennis. They will have earned it, but no one will match the Fed’s career. No one.

December 29th, 2020 at 2:43 pm

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