“There is no specific plan for Roger Federer’s comeback” Coach Ivan Ljubicic gives a disheartening update on Federer’s injury
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Roger Federer and Ivan Ljubicic
Roger Federer‘s struggle with his knee has been going on for over 2 seasons now. The 20-time Grand Slam winner missed the entire 2020 season after he played at the 2020 Australian Open where he made it to the semi-finals playing the Slam with his knee and also a groin injury. He had to undergo surgery and with Covid Pandemic happening, he had to end his season then and there.
Many expected him to return for the 2021 season fully fit but he had to miss the first 3 months as well and returned at the 2021 Qatar Open after 14 months of not playing competitive tennis. He was absent again during the Clay season and returned at the 2021 Geneva Open a week before the 2021 French Open.
Despite reaching the 4th round in Paris, Federer decided to withdraw from the tournament in order to stay fit for the Grass season and more importantly the 2021 Wimbledon. While he did bring the vintage Federer on the Centre Court of the All-England Club, he lost in straight-sets in the quarter-finals and also picked up yet another issue in his knee that forced him to end the season in July.
Speaking about his comeback plan for the 2022 season, Federer’s coach and former World No. 3 Ivak Ljubicic gave an update about the Swiss Maestro’s current situation. “There is no specific plan for Roger Federer’s comeback. He still has not started to practice,” said Ivan declining to set a date on when tennis fans could see Roger back in action.
“But it wouldn’t be shocking if he ends the season early” says Ivan Ljubicic on Novak Djokovic
While Federer continued to get in shape for the season, World No. 1 and fellow Big-3 member Novak Djokovic was rampant across competitions. The Serbian started with winning his 3rd consecutive and a record 9th Australian Open title this year at the 2021 Australian Open. He followed it with his 2nd French Open title at the French Open and then his 6th title at Wimbledon which was also his 3r consecutive title.
Aiming for a Calendar Slam, Djokovic fell at the final hurdle as he lost in straight-sets to Daniil Medvedev in the finals of the 2021 US Open, finishing with an outstanding record of 27-1 in Grand Slam events this year. An emotional Novak then spoke about how it had been a tough year for him, as he dominated on every surface he played.
With having pulled out of the upcoming 2021 Laver Cup, many are expecting Novak to end his season early given the grind he has put in this season as Federer and Rafael Nadal have already ended their season due to respective injuries. Giving his opinions on Djokovic’s plans for the remainder of the season, Ivan said, “I expect him to play Paris and ATP Finals. But it wouldn’t be shocking if he ends the season early.“
What Novak decides for the remainder of the season, only time will tell but a chance at equalling Roger’s record of 6 Year-end Championships at stake, Djokovic might just continue to end his extraordinary season on a good note.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)