Bad News From Roger Federer

Image © Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports

✍️ Written by :

Izel Kohener

🗓 Updated :

Aug 23rd 2023

Roger Federer will Miss the Australian Open 2022

Bad news for tennis fans as Roger Federer has confirmed that he will not play in next years Australian Open, which is set to begin on January 17, as he recovers from multiple knee surgeries.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner has told Swiss media, "Australia is not an option at all. But that's no surprise for me. Even before the operation, we knew that a break of many months would be necessary afterwards,"

The Swiss veterans absence from the 2022 Australian Open was not a big surprise but definitely a huge disappointment for the Australian fans and the officials as this year’s tournament was supposed to be the last Grand Slam in Melbourne featuring the “Big Three” of men’s tennis (Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal) competing against each other. The 9-time champion, Novak Djokovic currently holds the record for most titles in Australian Open. Roger Federer has won the Australian Open on six occasions, with the last one coming in 2018.

MOST AUSTRALIAN OPEN MEN’S SINGLES TITLES

Novak Djokovic (SRB) 9
Roger Federer (SUI) 6
Roy Emerson (AUS) 6
Andre Agassi (USA) 4

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Federer Unlikely to Return for Wimbledon 2022

More bad news for all those eager to see Roger Federer back in tour as the Swiss sensation also ruled out Wimbledon, which begins in late July. The former world number 1 told the Swiss media, he would be "extremely surprised to be able to play Wimbledon". Federer is expected to resume running in January and return to training on the court in Spring. That also rules out the French Open, “Roland Garros”, which is scheduled to begin in late May.

The Swiss great, over the years, has developed a deep connection with the All England Cup, winning a record breaking 8 Wimbledon singles titles.

MOST WIMBLEDON MEN’S SINGLES TITLES

Roger Federer (SUI)8
Pete Sampras (AUS)7
Novak Djokovic (SRB)6
Bjorn Borg (SWE)5

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Federer has been struggling with Injuries since 2020

The Swiss veteran has been struggling with injuries, undergoing 3 round of knee surgery within the last 2 years. Federer had two knee operations in 2020 that kept him out of the tour over a year and returned to action in March but only managed to play 13 tour matches, before undergoing for his 3rd knee surgery in July.

Tennis was not the only Motivation for Latest Surgery

Although Federer said knee surgery was the “only glimmer of hope” he had of being able to compete at the level he wants, he also explained that the motivation for his latest surgery was to protect his future quality of life, rather than only tennis.

"I had this operation done so that I could ski with my children or play football or tennis in the future. My primary motivation was to get back in shape for my normal life. But I wanted to approach this rehabilitation with the mentality and body of a top athlete.”

Following his return to action in March 2021, the Swiss Legend, withdrew from the French Open after winning his 3rd round match, saying he wanted to save himself for Wimbledon, where he hurt himself and forced to skip the U.S. Open. Federer was last seen playing at Wimbledon, in June, where he suffered a straight set quarter-final loss to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.

The 20-times Grand Slam winner, still ranked number 16th, has only managed to accumulate 18 tour matches within the last 2 seasons.

Roger Federer Ruled out Retirement

Federer, at 40, recovering from his 4th knee injury, is very realistic about his chances of winning a 21st majors title but is very determined for one more Grand Slam final.

"As far as my sporting ambitions are concerned: I want to see once again what I can achieve as a tennis pro. I'm fighting for it and I'm very motivated. I feel the support of my team and my family. We all wish that I can say goodbye on my own terms and on a court”

"My world will not collapse if I never play in another Grand Slam final. But it is my ultimate dream to return once again. And in fact, I still believe in it. I believe in these kinds of miracles. I have already experienced them."

While not specifically addressing it, the Swiss legend did not ruled out the U.S. Open that is scheduled to begin in late August. He made it clear tough that it wouldn’t make a big difference to him if he was to return in 2022 or 2023.

The Big Three are Tied for Men’s Record of All-Time Grand Slam Titles

Roger Federer’s biggest motivation behind a return seems to be his desire to become the most successful player in men’s tennis history. The Swiss Legend, who has won 20 Grand Slam titles, is currently tied with longtime rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal for the most major singles titles in men’s tennis.

Federer has not won a Grand Slam Title since clinching the Australian Open in 2018.