Federer returns from injury layoff, says he’s ‘rejuvenated’

Seventeen-time Grand Slam winner and former world No. 1 tennis player Roger Federer has finally returned from his six-month absence which was due to a knee injury, and says he is rejuvenated and refreshed.

The Swiss tennis star also mentioned that the long break could help prolong his playing career.

Federer, who has won more Grand Slams than any other man in the history of tennis, spent a large portion of the season out injured after he lost to Milos Raonic in a Wimbledon semi-final match, but is set to return to action at the Hopman Cup, starting on Jan. 1.

The 35-year-old said it was a tough call to take a six-month break and that he looked at the bigger picture before deciding.

“I do believe that it could be very beneficial for the future of my tennis career,” he told reporters on a conference call.

“To have had this six-month layoff, rejuvenated, refreshed… maybe mentally I needed this rest more than I thought I would. Maybe my body needed a rest more than I thought it would. I tried to look at the big picture, I hope it’s going to pay off.

Read Also: Federer describes Murray as ‘extraordinary’

“At least one thing I know now is I have no regrets. I did everything this year to get my body back in shape. It didn’t feel too grueling, too long, too hard to go through this process. I have actually enjoyed it,” he added.

Federer’s semi-final defeat by Canadian Milos Raonic at Wimbledon, which saw him drop to 16 in the world rankings, was his last professional match in 2016, but says his goal was to get fully fit as he looks forward to a few matches in Perth before the Australian Open begins later in Melbourne.

“This year (2017 season) is unique because maybe this is the year more than any time before where I do need matches at the beginning of the season,” Federer said, adding that he was doing everything possible to add more majors to his trophy cabinet come 2017.

 

 

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now