Switzerland’s Roger Federer, sidelined for much of the 2020 season after undergoing two knee surgeries, admitted he was unsure of making the Australian Open, even going so far as to consider ending it. of her career.
“It’s a race against time. Of course, it would help if I had a little more time. But that will play out very little, ”Federer said of the Australian Open on Sunday at an awards ceremony in Switzerland.
The first lifting of the Grand Slam, initially scheduled for January 18 to 31, should be postponed to February due to health constraints linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I would have hoped to be at 100% by October. But I am not at this level even today. It may be very fair ”for Australia, he added.
Federer, 39, even fueled speculation about his future by evoking a possible retirement: “If my career had to end there, it would be good to end it with this award” (Federer received an award which rewards the best sportsman Switzerland of the last 70 years, Editor’s note), declared the Swiss, winner of 20 Grand Slam titles.
The Basel native has not played since February 2020, when he underwent right knee surgery.
In June, Federer revealed that he had additional surgery on the same knee, which forced him to cancel the remainder of his 2020 season.
“I hope there is something more to see from me in the New Year. We will see (…) We take our time, but the next two or three months will become immensely important for me, ”warned Federer, who is in 5th place in the ATP ranking after spending a total of 237 weeks in top of the world ranking.
For what could be his last year on the circuit, if he manages to recover, Federer will aim in particular, in addition to a 9th coronation at Wimbledon, the Tokyo Olympic tournament, the only important title missing from his impressive record.
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