Battling his way into another major final at the Australian Open, Roger Federer has given his fans a dose of apprehension after he admitted to suffering from a leg injury.
The 17-time grand slam champion booked his place Sunday’s final by coming through a three-hour battle against Stan Wawrinka. Federer’s win comes as he participates in his first competitive tournament since the Wimbledon championships due to an injury lay-off. His return has attracted the attention of the sporting world, but his body is still vulnerable to injury problems.
“I’ve had a leg thing (issue) going on throughout the week. I felt it from the second game in the match. I don’t know why.” Federer said during his on-court interview.
Dropping the fourth set in his semifinal match, the 35-year-old opted to take a medical time out to have treatment on his leg, a rare occurrence in Federer’s career. The exact issue troubling the Swiss player is ‘tightness’ in his leg, causing him trouble with his movement on the court.
“The leg wasn’t better or worse in the fifth (set). I felt tightness throughout the match, and I felt like it slowed me down.” He explained.
“I just hoped that maybe having the Physio work on it, that it would make me feel better. But it didn’t. It’s not something I’m necessarily really worried about in any way. So that’s a good thing.”
Federer’s leg problem comes after a nightmare 2016. For the first time in his career, the former world No.1 underwent surgery on his right knee. He was also troubled by illness and a back injury, which forced him out of the French Open. Ultimately, it was the knee that prompted an early end to his season as he opted to rest and fully recover.
Now with his past woes behind him, Federer now has a chance of winning his first major title since the 2012 Wimbledon Championships and extending his all-time record to 18 titles. Awaiting him in the final will be either long-time rival Rafael Nadal or Grigor Dimitrov, a player who has earned the nickname ‘Baby Fed’ for the similarities of his playing style to the Swiss.
“I know I will have a chance to win on Sunday now. That’s a great position to be in. Regardless of who it’s going to be against, I think it’s going to be special either way. One is going to go for his first slam or it’s the epic battle with Rafa.” He said.
“ All I care about is that I can win on Sunday. Doesn’t matter who’s across the net. But I understand the magnitude of the match against Nadal, no doubt about it.”
Federer currently trails 11-23 in his head-to-head against Nadal, last playing him in a grand slam final at the 2011 French Open. On the other hand, he has a 5-0 head-to-head record over Bulgaria’s Dimitrov.
The second men’s semifinal at the Australian Open will be played on Friday evening in Melbourne.
