Roger Federer: 'My journey as a top athlete is not over yet'
Roger Federer has not played a match on the ATP tour since Wimbledon 2021. The reason for this is a recent knee operation that the Swiss had to undergo. At the age of 40, the 20-time major winner is still working on another comeback. And is quite confident about it.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Mar 18, 2022, 05:32 pm
Wherever Roger Federer is, there are also his fans. The most recent example: the women's giant slalom in Lenzerheide, in which the Swiss did the honors. And without further ado it was the focus of the reporting. The racers were happy about a short exchange, also with a photo together with the exceptional talent. The international direction had apparently also pointed a still camera at the 40-year-old.
Now it's only occasions like this at the moment where fans have the opportunity to learn a little about Federer's status quo. The Swiss has not played a match on the ATP tour since Wimbledon 2021, with the exception of smaller media events, the 40-year-old has also made himself rare off the field. In order, it seems, to work hard on his comeback, as Federer always emphasizes. "I hope that I can start the comeback towards the middle or end of the year," Federer recently told SRF.
Federer wants to 'return at the highest level'
This is also the case in the latest annual report from the Roger Federer Foundation, which was published in March of this year. There Federer spoke in the foreword about his return to the ATP Tour 2021. Mind you, after a break of almost one and a half years. "After struggling with injuries for months, my return to the tour in March after my first operation gave me strength and motivation to continue my tennis career," Federer writes there. "I am grateful for every minute I can spend on the court with my fans and my tennis family."
Not only have these experiences encouraged the Swiss to continue working on a return, they have also strengthened the belief in the 40-year-old that this return is possible in a very strong form: "My experience in Doha showed me that my trip as a top athlete is not over yet. The progress I am making every day reinforces my belief that I will be healthy and strong enough to return to the tennis court at the highest level," said Federer.
Federer texting Stachowski
A little away from the big spotlight, the Swiss has now also commented on the Ukraine war, as Sergei Stachowski told AFP. This was preceded by the Ukrainian's unsuccessful attempt to contact Nadal and Federer to ask for their support for his home country. "I also tried to contact Federer and Nadal, but without success. I'm sorry that they prefer to remain silent, although I understand them," Stachowski said at the time.
But now Federer is said to have contacted the Ukrainian - and to have assured support from the Roger Federer Foundation: "He said that he wished there would be peace soon," said the Ukrainian, who is currently on the side of the Ukrainian army is at war, quoted by AFP. Roger Federer and Ms. Mirka would try to help Ukrainian children in particular with their foundation. On Friday, the Swiss then announced that he would provide 500,000 US dollars for Ukrainian children.
Click here for the annual report of the Roger Federer Foundation!