20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer wasn’t asked to participate in a tennis event being set up in Europe due to ongoing issues with his troublesome knee, according to one of his biggest rivals.
Novak Djokovic has confirmed that he didn’t invite the Swiss maestro to participate in the upcoming Adria Tour due to his current fitness. Federer has only played one tournament so far in 2020, which was at the Australian Open where he reached the semi-finals. A month later he underwent surgery on his right knee for the second time in his career and subsequently withdrew from the clay swing (before the Tour was suspended due to COVID-19). The procedure he underwent was arthroscopic surgery, which is usually minimally invasive.
Djokovic, who leads his swiss rival 27-23 in their head-to-head, told reporters on Monday that the two have been in contact during the lockdown. Along with fellow Big Three member Rafael Nadal. When questioned if he has asked the two tennis giants to take part in the Adria Tour, which he is helping organise, the world No.1 shed some light on Federer.
“More than usual, Rafa, Roger and I have communicated, due to changes due to the coronavirus pandemic and helping lower-ranked tennis players,” he said.
“Federer still has knee problems, so I didn’t ask him.’
“Rafa has been playing recently. We talked last week about the US Open, but I didn’t ask him. I don’t expect him to come and ask him.”
It is unclear as to what the exact problem is with Federer or how significant it could be. On April 20th he shed some light on his knee during an Instagram live chat with Rafael Nadal. It was during the chat where the world No.4 admitted that his recovery had slowed before stating that he was in no rush to return to action.
“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.’
“At the end of the day it doesn’t matter when I return as long as my knee is good. I’ve been hitting against the wall, doing my rehab and fitness.” He later added.
During his most recent video interview last weekend, the 38-year-old stated that he was ‘happy’ with his body but played down the idea of the Tour resuming soon. He made the comments whilst speaking with former player Gustavo Kuerten, who is organising a fundraiser to support families affected by the coronavirus in Brazil.
“I am happy with my body now and I still believe that the return of the tour is a long way off,” he commented “And I think it’s important mentally to enjoy this break, having played so much tennis.
“When I’m getting towards returning and have a goal to train for, I think I will be super motivated.”
Federer has won 103 ATP titles so far in his career. The second highest tally in the history of men’s tennis after Jimmy Connors.
