Severin Luthi, the coach of Roger Federer, is confident that the 34-year-old is in good shape ahead of his return to the tour in Monte Carlo this week.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t played a professional match since his semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. In early February Federer underwent an operation to treat a torn meniscus in his knee. The 34-year-old was due to return to action at the Miami Masters, however, he was force withdraw from the event due to illness.
The Miami setback means that Federer has been away from the tour for ten weeks. Despite the absence, Luthi believes that the Swiss tennis great is in good shape for this week’s Masters event at the Monte Carlo Country Club.
“Roger has trained very well, he is in form. If he had not fallen ill, he would have been able to play in Miami. But clearly, there are now ten weeks since he played his last match in Australia. This is a situation we have never had,” Luthi told Tages-Anzeiger.
Luthi has been traveling on the tour with Federer since 2007. Speaking about the rehabilitation period of the world No.3, Luthi confirmed that there has been no setbacks with the 34-year-old completing three full weeks of training without any significant problems. The training process might be a boost, but Luthi admitted that ‘matches are the best workout‘ for Federer.
This week will be Federer’s 13th appearance in Monte Carlo. The tournament is one of only two Masters tournament where Federer hasn’t won a title (the other being Rome). Speaking with the media in Monte Carlo, Federer remains coy about his clay court chances this year.
“I feel more rust than rest, but I am rested, mentally and physically,” the 34-year-old said.
“If I win the tournament, that changes everything. If I lose 0-0 in the first match, that changes everything,” he later added.
Federer’s clay court calendar in one that is currently unknown. He is on the list for Rome and Madrid, but nothing is yet confirmed by the Federer camp.
“I’ll know more in two weeks and I can decide the week before Madrid if I will go there or not.” Federer said.
In his first match in Monte Carlo, Federer will play either Thomaz Bellucci or Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.
