Roger Federer ‘risks making a fool of himself’ with comeback, warns former doubles champion

Roger Federer is risking ‘making a fool of himself’ if he follows through with plans to return to tennis, Ion Tiriac has said.

Federer has undergone three knee surgeries in the last two-and-a-half year, and he will be 41-years-old by the time we see him on court again.

If his plans pan out, that will be at the Laver Cup in September, with a follow-up appearance at Basel also on his schedule.

Should that go well, he says he plans to make a bigger return to the ATP Tour in 2023, but former French Open double champion and Madrid Masters owner Tiriac is far from convinced.

“You can play tennis for fun,” Tiriac said, “which would be a great thing.

“Be careful, though: it would be a pity if he made a fool of himself. “I see it as a danger because he hasn’t played for so long…

“If you like tennis, fine, but being competitive at 40? No, no.”

Roger Federer was criticised during his last comeback for withdrawing from the French Open mid tournament to focus on Wimbledon, only to then disappoint at SW19.

“He also makes mistakes,” Tiriac added. “Coming to Roland Garros last year and left saying no, that he wants to prepare for Wimbledon

“How can he afford to tell a Grand Slam like Roland Garros that he is going to leave for Wimbledon? He walks to Wimbledon directly, and he’s done.”

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