The current suspension of the ATP Tour could add fuel to the fire for Roger Federer, according to one of his rivals.
Marin Cilic believes the 20-time grand slam champion will use the current suspension of the sport to return back to the top of his form. All tennis tournaments have been suspended until July 13th due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it is possible that the period could be expended in the coming weeks.
Questions are starting to mount about how the break in the sport could affect Federer, who will turn 39 in August. Earlier this year the world No.4 also underwent surgery on his right knee and had originally planned to return to the tour during the grass season. Federer hasn’t won a major tournament since the 2018 Australian Open.
Amid the speculation, Cilic believes there is nothing that fans of the Swiss player should worry about. In their head to head, the world No.37 has only won one out of their 10 meetings on the ATP Tour. Doing so at the 2014 US Open when he won his first and only grand slam trophy.
“When it comes to Roger, he will certainly perfectly use the break like he has always done,” Cilic told Croatian newspaper Jutarnji.
“I have personally seen how fascinating he and [Rafael] Nadal look on the court after making a comeback.
“Let’s recall how many injuries has Nadal had and whenever he makes a comeback – they rarely loses to a player he isn’t supposed to lose and who isn’t his rival, Federer especially.”
“Throughout his career, he has been often taking breaks of two months or more and he would always return in a much better form.
“I don’t think he is done. Maybe his desire will be even bigger after a four or five month break.”
Federer recently commented on his current health during an Instagram Live chat with Nadal on Monday. Saying that he was ‘happy’ with his current rehabilitation. He hasn’t played a professional match since losing to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open back in January.
“With the knee it is OK. I had a really good first six weeks and then it (the recovery) was getting a bit slower,” he explained. “Now it is getting better again but I have plenty of time so there is no stress or rush.’
Federer has won 103 ATP titles so far in his career in what is the second highest tally in history after Jimmy Connors. He currently the oldest male tennis player to have a top 100 ranking.
