Roger Federer unlikely to feature at Wimbledon, close team member reveals
Coach Severin Luthi “can’t imagine” Roger Federer will compete at Wimbledon as he continues to step up his rehabilitation from knee surgery.
20-time Grand Slam icon Federer has been out injured since he suffered his heaviest ever Wimbledon defeat to World number nine Hubert Hurkacz last July.
After his straight set defeat, Federer decided to undergo a third knee surgery that has ruled him out nine months. Federer had been hoping to return at this year’s Wimbledon, meaning he would have been side-lined for a whole calendar year.
He has only just started to step up his recovery and announced he will know more by the end of April or May. He began running a few weeks ago and will practice with his wife Miroslava (Mirka) this week.
During Federer’s absence, Rafael Nadal claimed a record-breaking 21st Major title at the Australian Open to give him an edge in the total Grand Slam tally.
The Swiss maestro had been hoping to make a return at Wimbledon, a Slam he has won a record eight times. However, one of his coaches believes the London event could come too soon for the Swiss.
He has achieved the improbable before when he won the 2017 Wimbledon title after a six month injury lay-off, but it doesn’t appear he will be able to even have a chance at replicating the same feat this year.
Federer’s coach Luthi told Swiss newspaper Tages Anzeiger “at the moment, I don’t envisage him playing Wimbledon.
“I’m not someone who is saying it’s impossible. But I can’t imagine it right now.
“This week, to warm up, he will first hit some balls with Mirka (his wife).
“He can always do more, he is actively working. He’s still in the rehabilitation phase.
“Not only do the knee and leg muscles have to be built up, the whole body has to be strengthened. It’s a full conditioning program.
“The main thing for him is to slowly get back in [to the top ten].”
So far Federer has only been registered to compete in one tournament this year, the Laver Cup in September. He will compete alongside Nadal to represent Team Europe.
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