Mats Wilander exclusive: Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev will be reality check for Roger Federer

Roger Federer’s problem is probably not due to the fact that he can no longer find his way back to his game, his class.

This is what the seven-time Grand Slam tournament winner Mats Wilander said in an interview Eurosport. The Swiss play does not live so much from the physical moment, “instead it looks very elegant and light”.

From Wilander’s point of view, Federer benefits from this in the fight for a comeback: “He may not have to work that hard and he won’t get tired that quickly.”

For the 20-time Grand Slam tournament winner, however, a completely different difficulty arises.

Wilander: “How sharp is Federer’s weapon?”

“The bigger problem are the younger players. Zverev, Medvedev and the guys behind them, who put more and more pressure on. Of course, Federer also has a great serve – but how sharp is this weapon compared to a Zverev, a Medvedev?” Asks Wilander and draws the conclusion: “This will be the reality check for Federer!”

Ultimately, it is impossible for the 40-year-old to weigh up beforehand where he stands in comparison to the best in the world. “For that he needs at least a couple of two- or three-set matches against these players,” said the Swede.

One cannot blame the maestro for misjudging reality or building castles in the air with a view to returning to the top of his sport. Because Federer has just made it clear: “I’m realistic: It would be a great miracle. But in sport there are miracles.”

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