While many fans hold out hope that Roger Federer can return to his best level, this renowned journalist sees that as very unlikely.
The 20-time Slam champion last competed at Wimbledon in July, suffering a straight sets defeat to Hubert Hurkacz, including a 6-0 third set.
Some were hopeful that Federer would return at the Australian Open, but we have since learned that a far longer recovery period is necessary for the Swiss.
Now, author of the Federer biography ‘The Master: The Brilliant Career of Roger Federer’, Christopher Clarey, has given his thoughts on the extent of a comeback from the 40-year-old.
“He’s trying his best to come back,” admitted Clarey in an interview with Moneycontrol.
“I don’t think he’s going to have the success he’s looking for and I won’t be surprised if he quits very soon.
“But his last match was a straight-set loss with a 6-0 final set. That is not the last impression Federer wants to leave at Wimbledon.”
The eight-time Wimbledon champion has since expressed that he would be “extremely surprised to be able to play Wimbledon” in 2022.
He believes summer 2022 is a potentially realistic return option, giving an estimate of March or April for returning to the practice court.
“Chances are slim [of a comeback], the competition is much stronger now,” Clarey added.
“But the love of the game burns brightly in him. And I know he wants to give it another try. But Federer has been laying the [foundations] for his career after tennis for a long time.”
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