Roger Federer could miss out on the 2022 Australian Open in order to make full recovery, his coach Ivan Ljubicic says.
Ljubicic adds that the Swiss is determined to make an appearance in the court when his injury heals completely.
The 40-year-old has been off action for the 2021 season due to a knee injury. His coach – a former world No.3 – said knowing Federer well, he is taking things slowly until he heals up completely.
Ljubicic added given his age, the knee injury is taking longer to heal. Federer does not want to gamble with his wellbeing though he has expressed optimism in the Australian Open.
Roger Federer with his coach Ivan Ljubicic. Photo/Essentially Sports
The coach also addressed questions on whether Federer was considering retiring.
“We have spoken and I can guarantee he wants to return to playing tennis,” he told Stats Perform. “When he decides to stop he will retire, but I don’t think it’s going to happen all of a sudden.”
In 2021, he played just 13 matches before undergoing two surgeries that left him benched. Federer played six matches in 2020 before he developed the knee problem and took a break.
August this year, Federer came clean with his fans confessing that he is not getting back to the court soon as he is scheduled for more knee surgery.
This news broke the tennis world as he self-confessed that the knee issue will keep him off from the game for many months.
Federer a 20-time grand slam champion has been away from the court for a while now nursing the injury.
“I will be on crutches for many weeks and out of the game for many months,” he told his fans.
However, he was optimistic that he will get better and make full recovery. The Swiss tennis star is upbeat about regaining his fitness.
“I want to give myself a glimmer of hope to return to the tour in some shape or form,” added Federer,” he exuded.
He maintained that it is difficult to go through such surgery at his age but is hopeful all will be well.
“I am realistic, don’t get me wrong. I know how difficult it is at my age to go through another surgery. I will try it. I want to be healthy, I want to be running around.
Federer joins former world No.1 Rafael Nadal who missed out on the US Open after sustaining a left foot injury in August when playing at Citi Open in Washington.
He told his fans last month that he is not sure when he will return to the court. Nadal told his fans that he has a roadmap guiding his recovery adding that he has a clear objective about it all.
Serena Williams and her sister Venus Williams also took a hiatus from tennis due to injury.
Serena Williams is ready for the 2022 Australian Open. Photo/Los Angeles Times
The 40-year-old American (Serena) picked up a torn hamstring after a first-round match at Wimbledon in August. She was playing on a grass court which she loves but a slip left her with a hamstring injury.
She resigned to fate and pulled out of the U.S Open at Flushing Meadows in New York. The mother of one also missed out of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Serena’s injury ended her 2021 season prematurely and this broke her heart.
Nevertheless, she says that she is ready for the 2022 Australian Open.
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