Roger Federer on possible career end: "Media have been chopping on it since 2009"
In an interview with the SRF,Roger Federer talks about his recovery process, the Olympic Games and a possible end of his career.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jul 26, 2020, 09:21 am
Not even two weeks, then there is an extremely prominent birthday to celebrate in tennis. The jubilee is named Roger Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion. Despite all the joy, this has also been a day in the past few years when tennis fans are reminded that the clock is ticking against the Swiss, for example, only a very few players were allowed to celebrate a 39th birthday as "still active".
Olympia as one of the big goals
And yet, Roger Federer is still making a comeback at this advanced age, wants to have his two knee surgeries completely by early 2021 and then be back on the court in perfect shape . "The goal is to be 100% fit again on January 1st. There is now a 20-week block of conditions. It's a long way, but I'm ready. I hope I can still play tennis when I come back ", jokes the" Maestro "in an interview with the SRF.
A comeback that is largely aimed at the Olympic Games, which are scheduled to take place one year late in the summer of 2021. "Olympia is always very special. I took an incredible amount with me each time. I'm excited to see what Tokyo will be like and hope that the games can take place in 2021," said Federer. It was always a unique experience for the family, too, and one of his daughters even wanted to learn Japanese for the trip to Japan planned for this year, as Federer reveals.
"If the cogs don't grip, then I stop"
However, the current comeback should not be confused with preparation for the Olympics, which begins - here the Swiss shows how professionally he works - only a few weeks before. "When you've been on the tour for 20 years, you're happy to have a calmer year too. The right preparation only starts about 3 months before the games, you don't think about it before."
The Olympic Games are increasingly being traded as Federer's last tournament, a grand finale, so to speak, for the exceptional career of the Swiss. "Since I won the French Open in 2009, the media has been chopping on this topic. But it is clear that I am at the end of my career. I cannot say what will be in 2 years. That is why I plan every year. I'm still happy at the moment. But if the cogwheels don't grip anymore, then I stop, "Federer doesn't really want to hear about it.