Roger Federer says he never seriously considered retiring during his 14-month absence from tennis and is returning because he believes “the story is not over yet”.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion is competing in the Qatar Open this week.
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It will be his first touring appearance since losing to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinals last year.
“I know it’s rare for nearly a 40-year-old to return after a year of absence. What is important is that I am not injured and painless, ”he said.
“The pain is completely under control.”
The 39-year-old has a second round pass in Doha, where he will face Briton Dan Evans or Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.
“I know I have to go back to training after here, so from that point of view it’s just about getting stronger, better, fitter, faster and everything else,” he said. added.
“I hope at Wimbledon I’ll be 100%, and that’s where the season starts for me.”
Federer underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee for the first time in February.
A second operation was needed in June because her knee often swelled after walks and bike rides with her family.
“I wanted to go out on my terms, but for my life I still wanted to do this rehab. I want to go skiing with my kids and friends, and play basketball and football, ”he said of his motivation to come back at 39.
“Retirement was never really on the agenda. I think it’s really a conversation over, say, if the knee continues to bother me for months and months to come.
“I just feel like the story isn’t over yet. I like to play tennis, I like to be on the road.
“Probably one of the other reasons to come back is that I would love to be at this level again by playing against the best players, playing in the biggest tournaments, winning them with a bit of luck and participating in the conversation.”
During Federer’s absence, Rafael Nadal tied his mark of 20 Grand Slam titles by winning the French Open, and Novak Djokovic rose to 18 with a victory at the Australian Open.
“I’m more worried about my own game, my own health, compared to the record,” he said.
“I think for them maybe it’s bigger than for me right now because for me it was very important to match Pete’s record. [Sampras], and potentially break it, ”he said.
“To them maybe I am the measuring stick – like Pete was to me.”
In Sunday’s tournament final, Russian Andrey Rublev, who beat Andy Murray and Stefanos Tsitsipas en route to a fourth straight ATP 500 final, won the Rotterdam Open with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 victory over Hungarian qualifier Marton Fucsovics.
The 23-year-old world number eight extended his winning streak to 20 matches, winning in one hour and 50 minutes.
Meanwhile in Lyon, 18-year-old Danish Clara Tauson won her first WTA title with a 6-4 6-1 victory over fellow qualifier Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland.
In his third Tour-level main draw appearance, Tauson did not lose a set throughout the event.
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