Roger Federer focusing on 2021, Olympics after 2 surgeries
FILE – In this July 6, 2017, file photo, Switzerland’s Roger Federer kisses the trophy after defeating Croatia’s Marin Cilic to win the men’s singles final match on day thirteen at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
ZURICH — Roger Federer is already focusing on the 2021 season, including the postponed Tokyo Olympics, as he recovers from two knee surgeries.
Federer said Monday he is not yet able to play top-level tennis but he is on the mend.
“I feel much better again,” Federer said when taking questions from fans online. “I’m not at the level where I can play (tennis) fully yet.”
Federer has won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, but has never won an Olympic gold medal in singles.
“The goal is really that I’m ready for next year,” Federer said.
The Olympic final is scheduled for Aug. 1, 2021, one week before Federer — who took doubles gold with Swiss teammate Stan Wawrinka at the 2008 Beijing Games — turns 40.
Federer revealed last month he had “an additional quick arthroscopic procedure” on his right knee some weeks earlier.
The setback in rehabilitation from an initial knee surgery in February has not yet cost Federer any tournament play because the sport has been shut down by the coronavirus pandemic. It is due to resume next month.
Federer was speaking in Zurich on what should have been the start of the second week of Wimbledon, a tournament he has won eight times.
He recalled his fourth-round win in 2001 over defending champion Pete Sampras as perhaps the most significant match that helped define his career.
“I felt like if I can beat Pete Sampras at Wimbledon I can beat anyone anywhere,” Federer said in response to a fan’s question.
Though he did not win the 2001 tournament, Federer eventually surpassed the record seven men’s titles held by Sampras and William Renshaw, whose victories were in the 1880s.
Federer was speaking at the launch of a tennis-themed lifestyle shoe he designed with the Swiss brand On, which he co-owns.
