Belinda Bencic thanks Roger Federer for the Olympic win

The news that Roger Federer will undergo a new knee surgery left everyone speechless. Many were predicting a forfeit of him at the US Open, but no one could have imagined that the Swiss phenomenon would come under the knife for the third time in the last year and a half.

The former world number 1 has sent a message of hope to his fans, but the chances of seeing him competitive again on the tour are now slim. The 20-time Grand Slam champion was also forced to give up the Tokyo Olympics, which were his main goal of the season alongside Wimbledon.

The Swiss Maestro should have played the double with countrywoman Belinda Bencic, author of a splendid ride in the women's singles. The current number 11 of the WTA ranking won the gold medal at the end of a memorable week, which will give her a special place in the history of Swiss tennis.

Bencic thanks Roger Federer again

Bencic and Federer had participated in the Hopman Cup from 2017 to 2019, lifting the trophy in two consecutive editions (2018 and 2019) thanks to the claims on Germany of Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber.

During a press conference in Cincinnati, Bencic was asked to reveal which congratulatory message she had pleased her most after her triumph in Japan.

She said: "I think all the compliments I received from my family and friends were thrilling. I heard the most important people in my life right after the final ended. I was also super happy when I read Roger Federer's messages, he was over the moon about my win in Tokyo. He was very sweet, it seemed that he was there with me."

Belinda will be one of the favorites at the next US Open. Federer, for his part, will not be able to take part in the last Slam of the season, which saw him impose himself five times (his last success, however, dates back to 2008). The Maestro has not particularly shone in New York in recent editions, except for the final reached in 2015 (lost to Novak Djokovic).

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3j6PjeF