Roger Federer's agent Tony Godsick has shut down suggestions injury-hit star is set to retire and confirmed two events for the legend.
Federer, who is now 40 years old, has been largely out of tennis since February 2020 due to a knee injury. It required double surgery to correct before he was able to attempt a comeback in the spring of 2021. That
didn't go well, though, with Federer able to play Doha and Dubai before
attempting Roland Garros. The French Open looked promising, but he
withdrew mid-tournament to protect his Wimbledon prospects.
Wimbledon
itself was another disappointment for Federer, with him in the
quarter-finals to Hurbert Hurkacz and suffering a bagel in the final
set. However, Federer appears as determined as ever to return, with the Laver Cup in September his target. Godsick said:
"He's exactly where he wants to be but
unfortunately it takes time. He's going to play Laver Cup and Swiss Indoors. I
don't want to be the doctor but what I hope for him is to able to have a
great rehab this summer, play some in the fall and give a nice shot at
2023, and then see what happens. I haven't talked to him about that."
He further added:
"Could he add a tournament before then?
Maybe yes but more likely after that. He doesn't want to commit to
anything too soon before having to pull out. But the Laver Cup is enough time that, if all goes well with rehab events, he can get back for. He
won't rush back this time. He will have to be 100 per cent and know
he's 100 per cent and that's why he's taking his time doing heavy rehab
and training. It's not just when knee feels good but building up the muscles and getting lungs back. I know he's encouraged where he is."