'Roger Federer had no choice', says former ATP ace

Much has changed in the last 24 months, and Novak Djokovic has achieved the 20th Grand Slam. Last week, the Serb clinched the 20th Major title at Wimbledon to snag Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, looking good to overtake both rivals at the end of the season or indeed in 2022. Roger made it to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, and knew all the time who was the top seed, praising Novak and all that he has accomplished recently. After the third round victory over Cameron Norrie, Federer spoke about Djokovic and said that he has been working very hard over the years to deserve all that he has done. Roger called Novak's Melbourne-Paris double feat exceptional, and knew that the Serbian is the player to beat in London. "It is very impressive to see what Novak has been up to this year. As you said, it will be another big event for him in the next few days. There is always danger in the draw wherever you look. At the same time, Novak may have different ways of winning matches. He has done incredibly well in Australia and again in Paris. That was exceptional, of course. He looks like the big favorite here in whatever round he enters. He deserves it; He has worked very hard and played very well at the same time. Novak will be tough to beat," said Roger Federer.

Guy Forget comments on Roger Federer

Roland Garros tournament director Guy Forget has expressed his support for Roger Federer following the Swiss' controversial decision to withdraw from the claycourt Grand Slam in Paris last June. "On social media, you hear anything and everything. You see people who are totally, disproportionately vile towards Roger and others who completely understand. He retired, which he had never done in a Grand Slam before." Guy Forget highlighted Roger Federer's age and battle with injuries to explain why the Swiss took the right call to pull out of Roland Garros. "We are talking about a champion who is 40 years old, who has undergone two difficult knee operations, who is engaged in a race against time to return to his best level," explained Forget. "Roland Garros for him was a way to rebuild his game. He had no choice (but to withdraw)." Federer’s injury knee injury has been haunting him over the past two years. The Swiss star lost against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland at the Wimbledon Championships. He withdrew from the Tokyo Olympic Games, in order to focus on his recovery and come back strong at the US Open.

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