Simon Graf: 'I don't think Roger Federer knows when he will retire'

Roger Federer's biographer Simon Graf has no idea about the potential retirement of the 20-time Major champion. Graf believes that even Roger doesn't know the exact day himself, probably not thinking about the end of his career at the moment. Roger is experiencing the most extended break of his career, staying away from the court since the last year's Australian Open and working on his comeback in Dubai in recent weeks. Federer had to withdraw from the season's first Major that starts in Melbourne on February 8, needing more time on the practice court and hoping to compete again in March. The 39-year-old would love to hit the form by the summer, setting eyes on Wimbledon, Tokyo Olympics and the US Open. Roger endured the shortest season of his career last year, played only one tournament and underwent two knee surgeries in February and May. Not rushing anything, the Swiss returned to the practice court in October and increased the training pace for significant weekly improvements.

Despite turning 40 in August, Federer is still eager to return at his best and challenge the rivals from the top, hoping for another impressive comeback like the one he performed in 2017. Skipping the second part of 2016 with knee issues, Roger won two Major titles in 2017 (his first since 2012) and another in the following season. The Swiss played well in 2019 to finish inside the top-3 ahead of much younger opponents.

Roger Federer hasn't played for a year, struggling with a knee injury.

Federer kicked off the 2020 season with his 21st Australian Open campaign. He had to work hard against the home star John Millman in the third round, winning six straight points from 8-4 down in the deciding match tie break to avoid an early exit. Struggling with a groin injury, Federer defended seven match points against Tennys Sandgren in the quarter-final's fourth set to prevail before Novak Djokovic beat him in straight sets in the semis! That proved to be Roger's last official match so far, as he decided to skip the rest of the year and switch focus on 2021 following that second injury in May. 

"We don't know when Roger Federer will retire. I don't think Roger knows himself. I know he's far from where he would love to be right now. In terms of form, tennis-wise, only he knows the grip, go-back, get-back to the court when he feels he can play at a certain level. I don't think it's important where he steps away from the game. I did an interview with him after he won the 2017 Australian Open. I met him up in the mountains in Lenzerheide, where he has his second home. And he said: 'My career has been so corny, like, everything has been so amazing. I don't need a corny finish, or like, it doesn't matter how it will happen.' I don't think it's essential for him to where he steps away," Simon Graf said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3ibVz2U