Former teammate: 'If Roger Federer needs more time, it's not the end of world'

Knowing each other for over two decades, Roger Federer and Marc Rosset were part of one of the strongest Davis Cup squads in the early 00s. Roger and Marc shared the court for the first time in Gstaad 1999 and competed in the Marseille singles final a year later when the more experienced Swiss denied Roger's maiden ATP title. Two decades later, Federer is still active, keeping his place among the world's best players and preparing his return in 2021. Struggling with a knee injury, Roger had to undergo two surgeries in February and May, experiencing the shortest season in a career and hoping to get back at his best ahead of 2021. Rosset believes Roger can make a strong comeback, although he wouldn't be surprised if the 20-time Major champion takes more time to hit the court again and play competitive matches. Federer struggled with the left knee in 2016, undergoing surgery in February and playing only seven tournaments until Wimbledon.

Skipping the rest of the season, Federer prepared for 2017 and made the most remarkable comeback, winning 54 out of 59 matches and claiming seven ATP titles. Between Australian Open 2017-2018, Roger won three Major crowns to increase his tally to 20, becoming world no. 1 again in February 2018 at 36. 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 when he conquered Dubai. Federer squandered two match points against Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final and finished the year-end rankings third behind Djokovic and Nadal.

Roger Federer will try to get ready for the Australian Open in February.

Struggling with a groin injury, Federer saved seven match points against Tennys Sandgren in the Australian Open quarter-final in January, losing to Novak Djokovic in the semis in straight sets. Federer underwent knee surgery in February and repeated that in May after failing to take the pain away. Not rushing anything, the Swiss decided to wrap up the year and focus on 2021, making slow return steps in the gym and stepping on the court again in October. 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. Federer and Ljubicic will train in Dubai in the following weeks, measuring where they stand at the moment and hoping to start the season without delays.

"If Federer needs more time, it is not the end of the world. With what he has experienced this year, everything will be difficult for him. Still, I think he will return to action," Marc Rosset said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/38gD0WK