By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday March 7, 2021
Roger Federer is preparing for his first ATP tour event in over 400 days, and keeping expectations low as he does so. The 20-time Grand Slam champion will play next week’s Qatar Total Open in Doha with hope in his heart, but also tempered by low expectations and the realization that his comeback won’t really start to heat up until the summer.
“Expectations are really low, but I hope I can surprise myself and maybe others,” he said on Sunday in press conference at Doha. “I know that people will think that the measuring stick will only be titles, trophies, finals and semi-finals and I am happy that people think of me that way but, honestly, the expectations are in a completely different place for me.”
Even with expectations low as they are, Federer is hopeful that there are other chapters to be written into the incredible book of tennis achievements that began a few decades ago and took him to heights that even his wildest dreams wouldn’t have imagined. With 20 Grand Slams and 103 titles under his belt, Federer is hoping that there is more left in the tank.
“I just feel like the story is not over yet,” he said. “I would like to get that high of playing against the best players, playing at the biggest tournaments, winning them, hopefully, and being in the conversation.”
The big issue for Federer, of course is the right knee. It was operated on twice last year and it has still yet to be tested against the strains of the ATP Tour. The good news is that Federer has made a stunning return from a knee surgery before. He returned in 2017 after a six-month hiatus and won three of the next four majors he played.
That feat will surely be next to impossible to replicate, but there is hope that by Wimbledon, he’ll be rounding into form with his name being mentioned among the contenders for the prestigious grass-court title.
“Let’s see how training goes with all the top guys,” he said. “It is still [about] building up to being stronger, better, fitter, faster and all that stuff. I hope by Wimbledon I am going to be 100 per cent and, from then on, the season really starts for me. Everything until then, let’s just see how it goes.”
Federer, who is seeded second and could face either Jeremy Chardy or Dan Evans in a second-round clash on Wednesday, after a first-round bye, feels that the knee is in a good place for him to start.
"The pain is now completely under control," said the Swiss legend on Sunday. “I don't feel in pieces at all. I even find him in very good condition, compared to four or five months ago. Now it's the knee that will decide what happens next. I can play tennis. If I'm worried about anything today, it's more about my knee. "
Federer hopes that he’s gained a bit from his time off in other areas. He’ll be fresh and eager to rise to the challenge again as he plays against many players who have likely been worn down a bit emotionally by the rigors of travelling the tour during a global pandemic. Perhaps he’ll even have an edge from taking a full year off? He hopes so.
“I do believe what you miss through injuries, you can add to the back end of your career,” said Federer. “I do feel like somebody like myself, who has played almost 1,500 matches, that breaks are always welcome… I did enjoy my time at home. After 20 years on Tour, to be home for an extended period of time, to have used that period in a different way, has been actually quite nice. I have missed the Tour.”