Many questions surround Roger Federer and his comeback this season. The main question, of course, is whether he can win another Grand Slam, which could be his final.
Roger Federer in 2021
Season and Comeback
To recap Federer’s season, he was sidelined for nearly 14 months due to a persistent knee injury, and he underwent two arthroscopic procedures to return to the tour. A lot of fans expected Federer to begin his comeback at the Australian Open, but to everyone’s surprise, he withdrew due to safety concerns. He later announced his long-awaited return in Doha, where he won his first match in a tight three-set match against Daneil Evans before losing to eventual champion Nicolaz Basilishvili. On the court, Federer appeared frail and a little rusty. His movements weren’t as fluid and effortless as we’ve come to expect. Federer withdrew from Dubai and Miami after an early exit, claiming that he needed more training before committing to the tour.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion decided to begin his clay court season at the Geneva Open and Roland Garros in order to prepare for Wimbledon, where he may still have a chance to win another Grand Slam. The Swiss star looked crisp, sharp, and motivated during his practice sessions. He appeared to be in good shape for a deep run in the tournament. Unfortunately Federer was stunned by Spaniard Pablo Andujar in a three-set battle despite having a break in the decider. It clearly appeared that Federer was still quite not ready. His shots, finesse, talent, and strokes seemed to look just fine, so what’s the obstacle? From what it seems, Federer needs more matches and most importantly confidence under his belt to pull off the heavy duty matches, especially in Grand slams.
Look ahead
A lot of fans and analysts thought taking a wild card into Belgrade or Parma would be a wise choice for more match practice. However, it seems that Federer’s next stop will still be Paris for the French Open. Playing in Paris might prove beneficial for Federer, as did help help him back in 2019. That year, he played the entire clay court season and reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Djokovic in an epic five-set thriller. Much will hinge on his performance next week. Federer will test his limits and boundaries in best-of-five set matches. Before his Wimbledon bid, Federer will play in Halle and possibly Stuttgart after Roland Garros.
So, to return to the main question: Can Federer win another Grand Slam? It’s definitely possible. If Federer plays like he did in 2017, unleashing his “Neo Backhand” as a weapon, he has a good chance. Federer’s fate is also determined by the draw he receives. Because Wimbledon seeding differs from the rest of the tour, there’s a good chance he’ll get a decent draw. If the top seeds are not up to the task, he could be the undisputed favorite. If they’re playing well, it will be a contentious debate. The 20-time Grand Slam champion has repeatedly defied expectations. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Federer win his 21st Major title with untouchable tennis, but only time will tell.
Main Photo from Getty.
