Roger Federer’s injury and subsequent operation put all Swiss fans and all tennis fans in general on alert. After the semi-finals reached at the Australian Open 2020, the Swiss tennis player suffered an injury and will remain away from the courts for several months.
This stop will slow down the former World number 1 and his return is scheduled for the Halle tournament, but rumors have recently reappeared about a possible retirement. Through his social media, the journalist Gustavo Goitia has denied these rumours and reported statements by the Swiss tennis player, very optimistic about his return.
Federer would have declared that he saw no reason not to play in the 2021 season and that, family permitting, he is ready to play even at the age of 40. The 20-time Grand Slam champion enjoys many admirers also outside the world of tennis.
In fact, athletes of all disciplines who have confessed their admiration for the Swiss champion are no longer counted. The last was golfer Justin Rose, who was World Number 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking. “Actually, I love watching good golf for obvious reasons, but I don’t take inspiration from other golfers as much.
Tennis is one area. I love to watch Roger Federer play tennis, and if I could trend toward that—clearly I’m not going to win 20 majors the way Federer has won 20 Grand Slams, but if I could, I’d trend toward the end of my career as someone who plays freer and freer.
Thing is, he had to evolve and learn to become that way over his career” – Rose said in a recent interview to Forbes. Roger is again the holder of the RF logo that has been associated with his clothing for most of his career.
Neither Federer or Uniqlo have indicated whether they plan to use the logo now it has been authorized. The delay was to allow the sale of the rest of Nike’s Federer apparel.
Roger Federer gets second chance at a renewed comeback
At 38, Roger Federer has seen many tournaments and have captured their titles. The arthroscopic surgery he had and resulting in a miss of 5 events proved to be bleak at times, but not now. One of the nearly biggest is Indian Wells.
Federer lost the title last year to Dominic Thiem and wouldn’t be ready to play this season either. He withdrew sorrowfully but a ray of advancement came in the form of a world health crisis — The coronavirus. The cold viral epidemic had started to create monstrous situations for people who knew very little of the crisis only that it started in China and continued its rampage throughout the world.
Tournament directors of the California event didn’t know how to approach the upcoming situation. Would sanitizing conditions throughout the venue be enough to keep the somewhat contagious virus contained? It’s not known and not worth taking a chance.
The directors decided to cancel the event. Monies for all, as well as many ranking points would be lost for players. Federer, and others recovering from injury and surgery would reap the harvest of having more time to heal and practice.
“We are very disappointed that the tournament will not take place, but the health and safety of the local community..and everyone…is of paramount importance,” Tommy Haas, the Indian Wells tournament director had commented.
There was mention of the California event being held at another date and this will give Federer and others the time needed to re-group, heal and possibly be prepared for the event later. Who’s to say if other tournaments will go the same route and that Federer would gain in being more physically ready to participate? It might be for the wrong reason, but timing may just be on the Swiss player’s side when Indian Wells and maybe other tournaments might have to be re-scheduled for future times.
