ATP Doha: Roger Federer "on the right track" despite losing the quarter-finals
Roger Federer failed in his comeback tournament in the quarterfinals. Nevertheless, the Swiss can take a lot of positive things from the desert city.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Mar 12, 2021, 04:40 am
A few months ago, Roger Federer would have irresistibly played this backhand past his opponent who was storming the net into the field. He would have played the backhand into the field and thus closed the sack, would have won a tough fight against Nikoloz Basilashvili in the quarter-finals in Doha and would have been close, but made it to the semifinals of the ATP 250 event.
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On this Thursday evening in Qatar, the Swiss should be one step too late, should "block" the ball for miles and then accept the bitter defeat against the Georgian Basilashvili minutes later. And thus also recognize: That was not the Roger Federer from "a few months ago". But that was not to be expected either, since the world number six had paused a full 405 days before starting in Doha, underwent an operation and even at the old age of 39, set out again on the stony path of a comeback.
Despite all the disappointment, after his departure it was a very pragmatic Roger Federer who was asked to answer questions from the press. Today's match, according to Federer, was confirmation that they were on the right track. "I come out of this match with a good feeling. I was hoping that I would feel like this after two competitive games. After 14 months, with or without an injury, you will always have a bit of pain," said the Swiss.
Federer: Everything is very positive for me
It is not yet clear when his comeback will be continued. He canceled a start next week in Dubai, where Federer had left it open. He would probably play on clay, Federer had declared in the press conference after his departure. He had to go back to the training ground, he wrote on Twitter.
So there is a build-up phase that Federer will go into with a good feeling. Despite the defeat against Basilashvili, it was a week that made the Swiss very positive: "I have to say: Everything is very positive for me. I know not what could have gone better. Maybe to win the match point, okay. But I don't think I needed another match to know where I am. "