It appears that the surgery 20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer has undergone is similar to what he had back in 2016, according to information released by the head of the French Open.
Guy Forget has spoken out about Federer’s announcement after the Swiss player confirmed that he will be missing Roland Garros. Making it the fourth time he has done so since 2016. In a statement published on Thursday, the former world No.1 confirmed that he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in Switzerland without elaborating any further.
Amid the speculation surrounding Federer’s latest surgery, Forget has confirmed that the procedure was done due to a ‘problem in the meniscus.’ A piece of cartilage that provides a cushion between your femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone).
“I had a conversation on the phone with his agent (Tony Godsick). Roger had a small surgery because of a problem in the meniscus which he already knew before,” Forget told French newspaper L’Equipe.
“He will have to spend about four weeks in which he will not be able to do much except rehabilitation. He will lose rhythm, but if he returns too soon, the knee may suffer.”
In 2016 Federer had his first ever operation on his left knee after tearing his meniscus. It was during that season where he was forced to miss six months of competition before returning to action at the start of 2017 by unexpectedly winning the Australian Open.
The absence of Federer is undoubtedly a blow to the organisers of the French Open. Although Forget played down the significance as he hailed the decision as a ‘smart move’ by the world No.3. Federer has only won the French Open once in his career which was back in 2009.
“I understand that it would be very difficult for him to return to the competition and start playing five-set games on clay. It’s a smart decision on his part,” Forget said.
“In any case, for a Grand Slam, taking everything into account, Federer’s loss is less problematic than what could cause a tournament like Basel.’
“You always want to have the best logically. Roger’s participation here was very remarkable last year and of course there was a lot of expectation to see what he could do this year.”
Former coach reacts
At the age of 38, the latest injury setback raises questions once again concerning how much longer Federer will continue playing on the tour. Although former coach Paul Annacone believes he shouldn’t be written off just yet. Annacone, who has also previously worked with Pete Sampras, guided him on the tour between 2010-2013.
“The big challenge in my experience is the older you get, the harder it is to come back from anything,” He said during an interview with The New York Times. “But these all-time greats are aberrations, not the rule, so you risk your own peril to predict what’s going to happen, pro or con. In 2010, when I started with him, people were wondering when he was going to retire.”
Elaborating further, the American coach said he sees no reason as to why he can’t add to his Wimbledon title tally in the future despite his age. Federer is already a eight-time champion at The All England Club. Last year he lost to Novak Djokovic in a marathon final where he failed to convert two championship points.
“He just got to the semis of the Aussie Open by the skin of his teeth basically, but he was there, and those are the moments all those greats live for,” Annacone said. “So I’m not quite ready to write him off. And you look at his grass-court record and how unique his game is for grass, I don’t see any reason he can’t still win Wimbledon.”
Should all go to plan, Federer is expected to return to action in June at the Halle Open in Germany.
