'It is clear that at some point Roger Federer will stop', says former champion

Roger Federer's return to action is eagerly awaited by millions of fans around the world. The Swiss phenomenon will be at the starting line of the ATP 250 in Doha in the second week of March, thus ending an absence of over a year. After the Australian Open 2020, in which he left the stage in the semifinals, the former ATP number 1 underwent two surgeries on his right knee that forced him to stop the longest of his entire career. The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who has remained in the very first positions thanks to the new ranking, has repeatedly stated that his great seasonal goals will be Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics. Seeing him lift yet another title at the Championships would be a dream for most of his fans (especially after the sensational mockery in the 2019 final). In an interview with Sportsmax.tv, former world number 2 Michael Stich explained that the London meadows could be the ideal setting for the farewell of the Maestro from Basel.

Stich says Wimbledon will offer the perfect setting for Roger Federer to retire

"It is clear that at some point Roger Federer will stop," Michael Stich said in a recent interview. "Many would have thought that already five years ago. I would wish for him to win Wimbledon and say after the final: 'You know what, I had a sick time, I'll stop.' There couldn't be anything better and that would give so much to the sport." The German claimed that Federer's aggressive style of play and athleticism would help him to continue competing at the top level, especially at Wimbledon. "You should never write him off because he is a player who has a gifted set of skills that help him to still play tennis that good at his age," Stich said. "But especially at Wimbledon, Roger Federer is certainly still a candidate for the title, because there he has this mental strength, because there he has the greatest joy. Roger Federer has nothing to lose," Stich went on. "He doesn't have to prove anything to himself, he doesn't have to prove anything to the fans out there. He's really doing it because he thinks he can still win titles." Stich added that since mental strength and willpower play a big part in keeping a player going as they get older, Federer will fancy winning at Wimbledon again as, with the previous eight titles to his name at the event, he holds a mental edge over his rivals going into the tournament and derives the “greatest joy” in lifting that trophy.

 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2O97ZNP