John McEnroe says Roger Federer's sustained success reminds him of another ageless icon—New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
The Hall of Famer visited Boston this week to launch the 2020 Laver Cup, set for September 25-27th at the TD Garden. McEnroe said the 38-year-old Swiss' ability to thrive against younger opposition is reminiscent of Brady.
More: McEnroe Launches Laver Cup in Boston
"It's like asking the same question on Tom Brady. You know, it's the exact same thing," McEnroe told the media in Boston. "I mean, how they keep doing it would be the first thing at their age. It's phenomenal, right? I mean, how in the world are these guys still playing at such a high level?"
The former world No. 1 said that while Federer isn't facing physical hits as Brady absorbs in football, he also doesn't have any teammates to carry the load.
"I've admired watching Tom Brady because he makes players around him better," McEnroe said. "But you're out there on your own and you're 38 and you could be turning 39 on a tennis court with the wear and tear. That's really tough. It's already amazing he's made it this far."
Twenty-time Grand Slam king Federer underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last month and said doctors are "very confident of a full recovery."
"After the procedure, the doctors confirmed it was the right thing to have done," Federer said in a statement posted on Twitter. Federer, who fell to Novak Djokovic in last month's Australian Open semifinals, said his right knee "has been bothering me for a little while."
Federer, who previously had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on February 3, 2016, is targeting a grass-court return in June.
Last July, Federer held a pair of championship points in the Wimbledon final before bowing to Novak Djokovic in a five-set epic. McEnroe believes Federer's best shot at another Slam is at SW19.
"Roger, I'm sure if he could win one more, he'd be thrilled," McEnroe said. "How much longer can he play at almost 38 and a half? This year, maybe possibly one more year? So he's thinking—I'm assuming he's thinking his best chance is at Wimbledon."
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