“The momentum lies with the younger generation”

French tennis legend Henri Leconte believes that Roger Federer’s long-awaited comeback on the tour could be incredibly difficult.

This season, the 27-year-old Dominic Thiem won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open and climbed to third position in the world rankings. Daniil Medvedev impressed at the ATP final. The Russian beat both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on the way to the title alongside the Austrian.

Roger Federer, on the other hand, has not played a competitive game since his semi-final defeat at the Australian Open last January. Instead, he had to undergo two operations because of a knee injury. In Melbourne – it is still unclear when exactly the Australian Open will be held – the 20-time Grand Slam winner is aiming for his comeback. When he returns in 2021, the Swiss will be the oldest player in the top 100 in the world at 39 years of age. Difficult omens, as Henri Leconte explains to «TennisActu»:

«We want to believe it. We all want to believe it! It was a long and difficult year. Will the motivation still be there? Will this break, the fact that he was able to enjoy his family, have changed anything, or will he still have this new motivation that has always fascinated us? ”Said the former world number 5.

Nobody could answer that. Everyone would wish that he could stop with a Grand Slam title, says the 57-year-old. The Frenchman, who is still a welcome guest on the tennis tour as a funny contemporary, however, points out: “The train (the momentum) is with the younger generation, who have set an extra pace. I would like to believe it: Roger did so many things, that’s why he makes us dream that we’d like to see him at the top. ” His conclusion is clear: “It will be very, very difficult …”

After all, the Swiss can go into the new season with a good feeling in terms of fashion. So he can use his iconic “RF” logo again.