John McEnroe does not believe fellow tennis legend Roger Federer will be able to reach the top level of the sport again. The Swiss maestro has rarely featured in the last two-and-a-half years after suffering from knee injuries.
Federer spent a year on the sidelines due to knee surgery after the 2020 Australian Open, before returning to the tour in 2021. But after a quarter-final exit at Wimbledon, the 20-time Grand Slam champion underwent another procedure on his knee and has yet to return to the court.
Now at the age of 40, when Federer does make a comeback, McEnroe thinks it will be more of a farewell, and it will take place at his home tournament of Basel. The American told Repubblica : “Five or six years ago he had already taken six months off, right?
“And he thought it was over, that there was no way to win another Grand Slam. And then he won it. Now, to do it again, it seems to be almost impossible, but you know… Roger said he will play in Basel.
“I have a feeling, but I could be totally wrong, that he will say goodbye to Switzerland, at his house.” The former world number one fuelled speculation surrounding his return by posting a number of photos from the gym last month.
It appears Federer will play in London this year when the Laver Cup is contested at the O2 Arena from Friday 23 September to Sunday 25 September. His agent Tony Godsick believes a return to action with Team Europe would be the perfect introduction before competing individually at the Swiss Indoors in Basel.
“I think the Laver Cup could be, if that’s the first event that he’s back, a nice entry way back for him, because he’ll be surrounded by friends and comrades,” Godsick, Federer’s long-time agent and business partner, told the i . “Even if you’ve played tennis for so long like he has, coming back after a lay-off like that, it’s nice to have a little support.”
Godsick added: “I know Roger well enough to know that he still has the flame burning to compete. His real motivation is to come back to compete on the ATP tour and sort of try to end his career, the way he wants to end it healthy and successful and on his terms.” Federer is no doubt motivated by the prospect of playing doubles with great his rival and friend Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup.
Back in February, Federer responded to a post confirming their participation with a series of emojis, and one that read “soon”. Nadal would respond: “Who books the practice court? You or me? “Looking forward to playing again with you my friend.” The pair teamed up at the Laver Cup for the very first time in 2017 and defeated Sam Querrey and Jack Sock 6-4, 1-6, 10-5.
