Roger Federer: 'All four have arrived where they can play a longer rally'

Roger Federer is in Dubai to train for the Australian Open. The Swiss champion had questioned participation in the first slam of the season (postponed to February 8) due to the slower than expected recovery of his knee, operated on a few months ago. So slow that it even raises doubts about his return to the field in 2021. Federer's main goals in 2021 are Wimbledon, the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games and the US Open, but Craig Tiley, director of the Australian Open and a friend of the Swiss, said he was confident: "We have a commitment from all tennis players in the world to be in Australia. He told us that February 8th was a more suitable date for him to prepare for the Australian Open but obviously a lot will depend on how his physique responds in the next 2 or 3 weeks. We would not have been able to carry out the event if the players had not had the opportunity to train. We also expect you to have a good audience, but obviously this is not the year where we are careful to look at these particular numbers." All 4 of Roger Federer's kids have started playing tennis, but they refuse to take tips from the 20-time Slam winner. Federer also revealed that he hopes to pick up a musical instrument after he retires from tennis.

Federer on his kids playing tennis

In a recent interview with Schweizer Illustrierte, Roger Federer spoke at length about his kids playing the sport that he has dominated for the past two decades. "We played quite a lot this year. The good thing is, you can always find ways to make it fun," Federer said. "The problem with tennis is that it takes time to get right into it. Then it's fun. Now all four have arrived where they can play a longer rally." While Roger Federer is considered by many to be the greatest male player in the history of the sport, his kids don't think too highly of his insights. But the 39-year-old knows that eventually they'll have to come to him or Mirka for help. "Meanwhile they also ask me if I come to play. At the beginning it was said: 'You are not my coach! Dad doesn't have to interfere in the game.' So I said: 'Okay, no problem, do it the way you feel is right. At some point you might come to me or Mommy'," Federer continued. Receiving the piece of honor at the Sports Awards, Federer said he wasn’t sure of participating at the Australian Open next year as his recovery from the knee surgery is still behind schedule. However, he added that deferment of the year’s first Major would give him some weeks to work on his fitness and make himself available for the event.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/37B0zue