“This time getting back to work will be far more complicated,” Simon Graf believes Roger Federer’s return in 2021 will be a difficult mission


“This time getting back to work will be far more complicated,” Simon Graf believes Roger Federer’s return in 2021 will be a difficult mission

Roger Federer

Roger Federer

Roger Federer, 20 time Grandslam champion and undoubtedly one of the greatest tennis players of all time, cut short his 2020 season after suffering a knee injury. The Swiss has been on the sidelines since February last year after he played the exhibition match in Africa against Rafael Nadal.

Federer underwent two knee surgeries and is currently undergoing a rehabilitation program to prepare for the 2021 season. The Swiss’ much-awaited return has been anticipated by many, with some fans claiming that he will make another successful comeback like in 2017. However, Simon Graf who had wrote Federer’s biography, ‘Roger Federer: Phenomenon. Enthusiast. Philanthropist’ thinks otherwise.

“This is Roger Federer’s most difficult mission,” Graf was reported as saying. “You’re used to Roger Federer’s miracles and fondly remember 2017. But this time, getting back to work will be far more complicated,” he added. Roger Federer made a dream comeback at the Australian Open 2017 after suffering from a knee injury. The Swiss proved his doubters wrong, winning the Australian Open and the Wimbledon in 2017.

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However, Graf believes that at the age of 39, his body and physical endurance will not be the same as it was in 2017. Federer’s title run at Melbourne in 2017, started with him as the 17th seed, and he took down players like Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals and Nadal in the final.

Increased intensity not enough for Federer, he needs the form to be competitive: Graf

The Swiss will make his comeback at the Australian Open 2021

The German writer, Simon Graf added that although Federer has upped his intensity, that will not be enough as he will need to find the form that will make him competitive for Grandslam titles. “Federer recently increased the intensity – now he’s testing his body more,” Graf reportedly added. “But until the form that would allow him to be competitive in Grand Slam tournaments, even to play for the title, there is still a lot to be done,” he said.

There are a lot of doubts at the moment regarding the Swiss maestro’s return. However, one cannot completely disregard Graf’s views as Federer certainly is not turning any younger. The Swiss turns 40 next year, and the main focus for him should be to enjoy tennis as long as he plays on tour. In a reality check for all tennis fans, it is not a distant time in the future when Federer announces his retirement from tennis. Till then, we are blessed to witness him entertain us every time he takes to the court.

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