Although Roger Federer said there is “a glimmer of hope” he’ll be healthy enough to return to competition after undergoing his third knee operation since 2020, it appears increasingly likely it may be game, set and match for the all-time tennis great’s career.
The 40-year-old star announced on Sunday via social media he will miss the upcoming U.S. Open and be sidelined indefinitely following a procedure on his right knee.
“I’ve been doing a lot of checks with the doctors, as well, on my knee, getting all the information as I hurt myself further during the grass-court season and Wimbledon,” Federer said. “Unfortunately they told me for the medium- to long-term, to feel better, I will need surgery, so I decided to do it. I will be on crutches for many weeks and then also out of the game for many months.”
Federer missed more than a year of action after initially having his knee repaired after the 2020 Australian Open in February and had a follow-up procedure that June.
“I want to be healthy. I want to be running around later, as well, again, and I want to give myself a glimmer of hope, also, to return to the tour in some shape or form,” Federer said. “I am realistic, don’t get me wrong. I know how difficult it is at this age right now to do another surgery and try it.”
With 20 Grand Slam singles titles under his belt to share the men’s record with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, Federer may ultimately realize the road to making another comeback is too rocky and his playing career could be over.
Should he return, Federer will not be ranked No. 9 in the world as he is today and will, at least initially, not be highly seeded in tournament play. As he’ll be facing the strongest players earlier in competition going forward, it will be even harder for him to win his 21st Grand Slam.
The U.S. Open starts on August 30 in New York. Federer’s spot in the tourney will go to Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands, the U.S. Tennis Association said.
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