When Roger Federer announced an early end to his season during the summer, many feared what the future would bring to one of the sport’s all-time greats.
A combination of illness and injury has marred the Swiss player throughout 2016. Earlier this year Federer underwent Arthroscopic surgery on his knee, which diagnosed him with a torn Meniscus. Sidelined from the tour for two months, a bout of illness then delayed his return to the tour. Sickness forced him out of the Miami Masters followed by a back issue making him skip the French Open. Ultimately, it was the knee that was the biggest problem, prompting him to end his season shortly after the Wimbledon championships.
The roller coaster year reminded the world that the seemingly invincible Federer was human. During his career, the 35-year-old has won 88 ATP titles, including a record 17 grand slam tournaments. Between 2005 – 2007 he won 35 consecutive matches on two separate occasions. The accolades associated with Federer are endless, but the upcoming season will be unfamiliar territory for him.
“It actually felt like I had my first real comeback in April when I came back in Monaco, especially having had surgery, because I never had surgery before,” Federer told the New York Times.
“So that felt like a real comeback to me, but this one feels bigger, obviously, because two months is not like six months. Clearly this comeback is going to have a different place in my career, for sure.”
During the last six months away from the tour, Federer experienced his first taste of would it would be like to retire from tennis. No demanding training regime, no living in hotels and more time spent with his family. It is for this reason as to why the Swiss refuses to think negatively about his recent misfortunes.
“I did get that taste of retirement,” the 35-year-old said. “All of the sudden, I could be organized and say: ‘O.K., we’re going to be four weeks at home in a row in the same place. Who do you want to go for dinner with, Mirka? Or who shall we catch up with?”
For now it is only a ‘taste’ of retirement that Federer is seeking. Currently the third oldest player ranked in the top 100 after Stephane Robert and Ivo Karlovic, the desire to win is as great as it was 15 years ago.
Federer will return to the tour ranked 16th in the world. During his absence there has been a change in dominance with Andy Murray dethroning Novak Djokovic from the top of the world rankings. The first month of the 2017 season has the potential to be a blockbuster. Besides Federer’s highly anticipated return, Djokovic will be plotting revenge against Murray and Rafael Nadal, who is also on the injury comeback, will be chasing after his first title in Australia since 2009.
“I think it actually creates a great story for next year. Andy’s a great story. Novak’s a great story. Rafa, obviously, is always going to be a good story. Me coming back is hopefully going to be a nice story to follow, too. I think the beginning of the year, especially the Australian summer, is going to be epic.” Said Federer.
Federer will return to competitive tennis in two weeks time at the Hopman Cup. Aiming to win the title for the first time since 2001, he will be teaming up with Belinda Bencic.
The full Roger Federer interview with The New York Times can be read here.
