Federer targeting ‘big’ Australian Open, says coach

FILE PHOTO: Tennis – Australian Open – Semi Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 30, 2020. Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action during his match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. REUTERS/Edgar Su

Roger Federer’s recovery from a knee injury is going well and the Swiss great expects to be able to play a “big” Australian Open, his coach Ivan Ljubicic says.

Federer, 39, has not played a competitive match since losing to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinal, since when the COVID-19 pandemic and surgery has sidelined him.

“He is in the recovery phase and I would say that things are going in the best way,” Croatian Ljubicic said in an interview with website OKtennis.it on Friday.

“He trains more and more and better and better, I’m curious to see how much we will be able to push in the coming months.

“There is a lot of confidence.”

The 20-time Grand Slam champion is yet to clarify his schedule for next year but has committed to playing the Australian Open.

“I certainly can’t tell today what we will do in April. I know we want to leave as soon as possible, play a big Australian Open and then evaluate step by step.

“It is important to go step by step and observe rest periods. As we have always done.”