The Australian Open are “out of the question”, Wimbledon would be “a surprise” – when Roger Federer talked about his comeback in the past few weeks, it sounded extremely cautious.
The Swiss is currently recovering from his third knee operation since 2020.
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The problem, however, is: the longer the record Grand Slam champion stays away from the professional circus, the more difficult it will be to make the connection. “Tennis is changing and getting faster. At some point it will no longer be easy,” says Alexander Zverev in a podcast conversation with Eurosport expert Boris Becker and moderator Matthias Stach.
- The complete podcast with Becker and guest star Zverev:
Although Federer only played 19 matches in the past two years, he is still ranked 16th in the world due to various special regulations during the corona pandemic.
Becker: “There’s no bigger Roger fan than me, but …”
It was the 1526th game on tour level for the Basler – and the scenario that none of them will be added is not unrealistic. “There’s no bigger Roger fan than me, but I don’t know how easy it is to make a comeback after a knee operation at the age of almost 41,” Zverev also doubts the quality of a possible comeback.
Has Djokovic slowed down? This is how Zverev sees it
The Olympic champion from Tokyo compares the situation of Federer with that of Rafael Nadal. The Mallorcan is also currently working on his tour comeback.
A first test at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, an invitation tournament in Abu Dhabi, was mediocre.
Becker: It will be easier for Nadal than for Federer
“It’s a tad easier with Rafa than with Roger,” says Zverev, referring to the shorter downtime at Nadal: “He’s five years younger than Roger, so that’s a different topic.”
Nevertheless, “the two greats of tennis now have to seriously think about how long they can be called players,” Becker points out: “When it comes to Federer, we all don’t dare to say that he may not play anymore either, especially since it is unrealistic is that after such a long break and at this age you can return to the top of the world. “
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In addition, Nadal is significantly younger than Federer. He, in turn, had won the Australian Open in the 2018 season at the age of 36 and shortly afterwards became the oldest player in history to take first place in the world rankings.
The eternal three-way battle: Djokovic advantage
In the eternal duel for recognition as the greatest player in tennis history, however, both Nadal and Federer have bad cards. Meanwhile everything speaks for Djokovic, at 34 years the youngest of the so-called Big 3.
Zverev exclusive: That’s why I see Djokovic in front of Federer and Nadal
“Roger and Rafa have always been the audience favorites and also the darlings of the media, which Novak never was. That’s the way it is,” emphasizes Zverev, “but at some point you can no longer ignore all the records. Novak has as many Grand Slams as Federer and Nadal. He has more Masters titles and more weeks than number one in the world. Novak has everything more – he wins in every single category, “the 24-year-old clearly positions himself.
“If all three of them stopped playing tennis today, then I would see Novak in first place too,” agrees Becker. But there is still hope that the trio can be admired together again next year at one of the big tournaments.
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Sportsman of the year Zverev: golden boy hungry for more
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