Roger Federer faces a big mental challenge in order to return to tennis according to former grand slam finalist Tomas Berdych.
Federer has not returned to court since his quarter-final defeat to Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon back in July.
The 20 time grand slam champion has had knee surgery and length rehab as his tennis future remains in doubt.
Speaking last time Federer said it was highly unlikely that he would return before Wimbledon and even the event at SW19 looks doubtful.
It remains a mystery whether Federer would be able to play one more match of his career as rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal look to overtake him in the grand slam winners standings.
Speaking at the Royal Albert Hall recently former world number four Tomas Berdych was optimistic about Federer’s return but claimed it would be a big mental challenge, “He (Federer) maybe wants to come back on court and maybe make the call and whether he’s going to play his last tournament, for his huge fan base around the world, but if he doesn’t it’s fine,” Berdych was quoted as saying by tennishead.
“He has nothing to prove so it’s down to him how he feels and how he wants to do it at the end of the day. He’s going to try to prepare himself as best as possible and he’s experienced enough to know that it won’t happen at one tournament.
“But, without matches and being 40 years old, it’ll be very difficult to judge your level. If you are in the middle of your career and you get injured for six months and you do a good preparation basically you know what’s going to happen when you start to play.
“But I think in this situation he needs to be mentally ready to know that it could be just one match, even if he’s done everything possible. It’s not easy and then the young guys will be there and won’t give him any favours.”
Federer will look to return to Wimbledon which starts on the 27th of June 2022.
When the Swiss maestro takes to court next, he could be two grand slams behind either Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal who will look to overtake Federer in the standings at the Australian Open.
The Australian Open begins on the 17th of January.
