Federer fans can rest easy. The Swiss player is as determined as ever to return to the courts. In a video posted on his social media accounts on 15 August, he nevertheless expressed some doubts about his ability to undergo a third operation on his right knee. “I want to give myself some hope of returning to the Tour in an acceptable way,” he said in the interview. “I’m a realist, don’t get me wrong. I know how hard it is at my age to go under the knife again and attempt to make another comeback.”
With the Laver Cup just a few days away, those measured words struck a more negative tone than Federer’s last public statement. Aware that his return to action will take time, the former world No. 1 is determined nevertheless to look on the bright side. “I’m on the mend and rehab is going really well, with no hiccups,” said a smiling Federer. “Every day is better, and I feel strong and excited about the future. […] Obviously, I’d like to be back on a tennis court as soon as I can, but I have to be patient. I need to take it step by step, but things are going well, so I’m really happy.”
Though the 20-time Grand Slam winner is looking ahead to a possible return in 2022, he is not yet in a position to put a realistic date on that. The injury he picked up on the London grass this year forced him to miss the Olympic Games, the US Open and the closing events of the season. Prior to his Wimbledon injury flare-up, the Swiss graced the Doha, Geneva, Roland-Garros, and Halle tournaments. And as long as his desire and determination remain intact, there is no question that he will make every effort to return to the elite once more.
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