Former Italian player: 'Roger Federer will struggle to repeat his 2017 comeback'

In 2016, Federer struggled with the left knee, undergoing surgery in February and playing only seven tournaments that season. The Swiss star decided to skip post-Wimbledon season to rest his knee and start all over in 2017. In one of the most impressive comebacks ever, Federer won 54 out of 59 matches and claimed seven ATP titles, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon, his first Major crowns since 2012! After four ATP titles in 2018, Roger added the same number last year, becoming the second player with 100 ATP trophies in the Open era behind Jimmy Connors. Federer squandered two match points against Novak Djokovic in the final at Wimbledon and finished the year-end rankings third behind two main rivals, keeping much younger opponents behind him. Things didn't work that well for Roger in 2020, experiencing the shortest season of his career after competing at only one tournament.

Struggling with a groin injury, Federer saved seven match points against Tennys Sandgren in the Australian Open quarter-final, having nothing left in the tank for Novak Djokovic in the semis. After the record-breaking Cape Town encounter with Rafael Nadal, Federer underwent knee surgery in February, planning to return in June for Halle and Wimbledon on his beloved grass. The coronavirus halted the season between March and August and Roger wasn't ready to compete after the restart, struggling to take the pain away and undergoing the second surgery in May.

Roger Federer will compete for the first time in more than a year in February 2021.

Not rushing anything, the Swiss decided to wrap up the year and focus on 2021. Making slow return steps, Federer hit the gym and worked on his fitness before stepping on the court again in October. The 20-time Major champion embraced short practice runs, continuously increasing the pace for notable weekly improvements.

Roger is hoping to get ready for the Australian Open 2021 that will take place in February, having a couple of extra weeks to work on his game and reach the desired shape ahead of the first big tests in Melbourne. Former Italian top-15 player Paolo Bertolucci is not convinced that Roger can repeat his 2017 comeback four years later, saying we have to see his level before drawing conclusions. Federer will start the new season from inside the top-5 despite playing only six matches this year, keeping his 2019 points and avoiding the top-ranked players in the early rounds.

"Roger Federer's previous remarkable comeback came four years ago, and it will be extremely tough to repeat that. He will have a chance to fight for big titles again, but first, we have to see his level after such a long break and two surgeries," Paolo Bertolucci said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2JFw4tw