Roger Federer hits practice court on a Melbourne-like surface

The 20-time Major champion Roger Federer has hit the practice court at home in Switzerland, working hard on a comeback set for the next January. After a couple of months in the gym, Roger is finally back on the court, trying to extend practice sessions and get ready for the next year's Australian Open that is less than three months away. The Swiss has played only one tournament in 2020, losing in the Australian Open's semi-final and calling it a season after two knee surgeries. Federer didn't play the ATP Cup for Switzerland at the beginning of the season, practicing ahead of Melbourne and reaching the semi-final after a rollercoaster ride. In the third round, the Swiss trailed 8-4 in the deciding tie break against John Millman, taking six straight points to pass a challenging obstacle and stay in the tournament. Struggling with a groin injury, Federer had to play against seven match points against Tennys Sandgren in the quarter-final's fourth set, fending them off to prevail in five sets and enter the last four!

In the semis, Novak Djokovic beat Roger in straight sets in what has been the final official match of the season for the Swiss. After the record-breaking Cape Town encounter with Rafael Nadal at the beginning of February, Federer underwent a knee surgery instead of traveling to Dubai, planning to return in June for the grass swing in Halle and Wimbledon. Roger failed to eliminate the pain and underwent another surgery in May, preferring to skip the rest of the season and get ready for a fresh start in 2021. In his interview during the Jura visit, Roger said he would not make rushed decisions, listening to his body and planning a smart schedule that should include the tournaments where he can compete at his 100%.

Roger Federer is back on the practice court, working hard on a comeback. 

After a severe knee injury in 2016, Roger made an impressive comeback in 2017, winning three out of five Majors until Melbourne 2018 and becoming world no. 1 in February that year at 36. Thanks to those semi-final points from the Australian Open and a strong 2019 run, Roger is still ranked in the top-4 behind Djokovic, Nadal and Thiem, having an excellent starting position ahead of the new season. 

"I'm on the right path; I'm gradually coming back but without putting any pressure on myself and taking my time. I will enter the tournaments only when I'm 100% fit. It currently looks like I can make my comeback at the Australian Open in January. I can't train for more than two hours with the racquet at the moment; I have been working on my stamina and strength painlessly for a while. There will be no further surgeries," Roger Federer said.

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