'If Roger Federer misses too much matchplay, it's very hard...', says ATP legend

Roger Federer fans fell into despair when the 20-time Grand Slam champion announced his decision to forgo the Australian Open 2021. To tell the truth, the news was in the air: already during the Laureus Awards ceremony, the former number 1 of the world had in fact declared that it would take him longer to be in 100% form, and that not even the postponement of the Happy Slam in February would have guaranteed his presence in Melbourne. The Swiss phenomenon will therefore complete a full year without setting foot on the pitch, given that his last official match dates back to the semi-final of the Australian Open 2020 against Novak Djokovic. The goal of the 39-year-old from Basel is to be ready for Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics, which have been postponed by twelve months due to the global pandemic. The US Open, the Laver Cup in Boston and the Basel tournament could truly represent the latest efforts in one of the most incredible careers in the history of modern sport. Interviewed by the 'Wide World of Sports' portal, doubles legend Todd Woodbridge explained how the articulation of the calendar will greatly affect Federer's choices.

Woodbridge on Roger Federer's recovery

"At this point it's too hard to say," Todd Woodbridge said. "It all rests on how the COVID schedule plays out. His goals, I assume, would be to play at the Olympics and at Wimbledon. Wimbledon is the Major that I see him being able to win at this stage of his career. But if Roger Federer misses too much matchplay, it's very hard to see him being able to go all the way at a Slam." Woodbridge also believes that recovery after matches will be one of the biggest challenges for Roger Federer, who turns 40 next August. "That's the biggest challenge," the Aussie went on. "It won't be the first match or two, he's so natural that he can come out and play shots and play well. It's all about the recovery. After he's played two tough matches, can he back up for a third? How will the body feel? Will the legs be tired? They're all the things you find at that age." Federer is currently ranked 5th with 6630 ranking points. He will lose 800 points as he was a semifinalist at the Australian Open in 2020. That reduces his ranking points to 5910 points. A third-round run and Tsitsipas will overtake Federer. If Zverev reaches the final, then he will jump Federer. And if Rublev wins the Grand Slam, then he will overtake Federer. If all the above stipulations happen, then Federer will drop to eighth. It looks highly likely that Federer would drop to sixth seeing as Zverev reaching the final is a long shot. Moreover, as good as he has been this year, it will be a herculean task for Rublev to win the Grand Slam. So Federer is expected to be in sixth place after the Australian Open 2021.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/34YjRb8