Paul Annacone: "Federer never used anything as an excuse"
Paul Annacone , long-time companion of Roger Federer , spoke to the New York Times about the Swiss man's recent knee operation. And, in doing so, showed himself to be cautiously optimistic.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Aug 17, 2021, 05:48 pm
Despite all the harshness of the news that Roger Federer had to announce on the social networks on Sunday evening, one thing was particularly noteworthy: The Swiss was not negative, he did not bury his head in the sand or paint a gloomy picture for the continuation of his career. No, the now 40-year-old was combative, emphasizing that this was the only way to return to the ATP tour in a competitive condition.
These words show: The fire is still blazing in the 20-time Grand Slam winner. Even though with this new operation, a last major coup at major level - which many a Federer fan had toured about at Wimbledon this year - is almost utopian. But that one will be able to marvel at the Swiss once again on the big tennis stage, Federer hardly left any doubts.
Federer disguises physical complaints
Paul Annacone said in an interview with the New York Times that this way of dealing with setbacks is something that has made the world rankings ninth for years: "All I can say after traveling with him for four years is that Roger was always one of the best when it came to not complaining and not letting people know when he was suffering from any kind of physical discomfort, " said the American.
#VIDEO#
The 58-year-old emphasized that it was a characteristic of the Swiss that he did not want to publicize his physical complaints: "Federer always gave the impression that the complaints were much gentler than they actually were." Nevertheless, the former trainer also knows that the current injury is not a trivial matter.
"Hopefully they can step back in their own way"
Nevertheless, the American wishes that this would not be the final way in which Federer had to say goodbye to professional tennis: "Of course: We knew that time would someday wrest his empire away from him in one way or another, exactly like Rafa (Nadal) or Serena (Williams). Hopefully they can all step down in their own way and don't have to stop because they have to. "
Experts are also quite critical of Federer's injury, such as the American orthopedic surgeon Nicholas DiNubile, who told the New York Times: "As a knee specialist, this is a worrying injury. It is not necessarily better to go under the knife more often. For this one Timing is most likely no small matter, "says DiNubile. Federer's return would be associated with a number of questions, as the surgeon emphasized: "His knee may feel better, but will he be able to compete at the level he wants, especially at a time when he does is so physically exhausted and dealing with opponents who are younger and more energetic than him? "