Only at the end of September at the Laver Cup in London and the ATP tournament in Basel in October, Federer expects to be able to play again.
This is what Federer says in an interview with the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger on Sunday.
– I have not planned more than Laver Cup and Basel yet. After Basel, the season is over anyway. It is important for me to get fit again so that I can train fully.
– When I can, I can choose how many tournaments I play and where, says Federer.
The Swiss tennis legend does not mention Wimbledon directly, but if there were fans hoping for a comeback in the grand slam tournament in two weeks, then Sunday’s interview is not exactly uplifting.
It is only at the Laver Cup, which is played from 23 to 25 September, and in Basel at the end of October, that Federer sees an opportunity to play.
– Laver Cup is a good start as I do not have to play five matches in six days. I need to be able to do that in Basel.
– But I am confident and have come a long way. I’m not far from being there, Federer tells the newspaper.
He also says he is betting on playing top-level tennis in 2023.
– Yes definitely. Where and when I do not know yet. But that’s the idea, Federer says.
In August, Federer turns 41 and has not played top-level tennis since Wimbledon last year. He then underwent knee surgery for the third time in 18 months and has been out ever since.
Federer played only 13 matches in 2021. In 2020, it turned into only six matches. He is rattled down as number 50 in the world – the lowest ranking in 22 years.