'Roger Federer would still have a chance to win', says Grand Slam champion

At the moment when the pandemic broke out that has practically locked our minds and bodies in the state we are in now, the last wonderful image of sport we all had in mind is that sensational match that Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer played at Wimbledon for the final of 2019. A match in which there was everything a man can put on a tennis court: technique, tactics, sacrifice, speed, flexibility, class, desire to win and at the same time not to give up. As Djokovic said at the end of the match, "it's one of those matches that you almost regret that he lost the other." This final was historic, unforgettable and eternal, lasting a whopping 4 hours and 57 minutes. Yet, if you think this game is the best possible, there was another final that was similarly played by two of the best tennis players in history, wonderful from all points of view, pulled to the maximum, but that is lasted even longer, 5 hours and 53 minutes, making it the longest Grand Slam final in tennis history. We are talking about the 2012 Australian Open final, played once again between Novak Djokovic but this time against Rafael Nadal. 2021 will be a crucial year for Novak Djokovic in his bid to overtake the record Grand Slam tally set by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, according to Mats Wilander. Roger Federer hasn't fully recovered from his knee injury yet, and is hoping to return to the tour in late February or early March. The last time Federer was seen on the court was at the 2020 Australian Open, following which he underwent surgery on his right knee in February and another procedure in June.

Wilander on Roger Federer's chance in 2021

But Mats Wilander believes Roger Federer is still capable of winning a 21st Major, especially at Wimbledon, where he has triumphed eight times in the past. "In Australia and Wimbledon, he would still have a chance to win," Wilander responded when asked to assess Federer's chances of winning another Slam. "He didn’t enter Melbourne this year. But if he doesn’t have a physical issue, he can rightly hope for the trophy at Wimbledon, where he can win at any time. Roland Garros and the US Open are a tougher affair, but Federer has targeted Wimbledon and the Olympics this year anyway," the Swede added. Coming to the current season, Roger withdrew from the Australian Open but is expected to return to Tour soon.  

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/36sWx63