ATP | Roger Federer returns in Doha against Evans 405 days later

In 2017, Roger Federer returned to the circuit after passing almost six months off due to a left knee injury of which it had been operated in February 2016, a year in which his back prevented him from playing at Roland Garros. He had been off the slopes since the Wimbledon semi-finals of that year, when he fell to Raonic, and his return was impressive. Won the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Halle, Wimbledon, Shanghai and Basel before opening 2018 with another title in Melbourne, his 20th and last Grand Slam title. In 2021, at 39, he faces the most difficult yet. This Wednesday he plays his first official game in 405 days and after undergoing surgery twice to undergo surgery on his right knee. It will be in Doha (not before 4:00 pm peninsular time), against the British Daniel Evans (28th).

The last time what Federer stepped on a track to competitive level the state of alarm had not started for the coronavirus pandemic. It was at the Rod Laver Arena, where Djokovic got him down in the semifinals Of the first major it's from the season. Days later, on February 7, he played an exhibition in Cape Town charity in which he beat his friend Nadal. That's where tennis is over for him so far. His injury did not progress as expected and the recovery period lengthened. He did not travel to Australia in January as a precaution and because he did not want to be separated from his wife, Mirka, and their four children for a month.

“The biggest challenge is to regain full confidence in the capabilities of the body. For me, playing tennis is like riding a bicycle, I already know how to do it. That doesn't bother me, my main concern is my knee. I have worked hard to return here in Doha, “said the Swiss in Qatar. He returns without mentioning the possibility of a withdrawal at the end of this campaign, with the illusion of be at the Tokyo Games, headquarters of its sponsor, Uniqlo. And with a first objective in mind: “The next three or five months will help me know where I am. Four years ago I was asked how I would handle transatlantic travel, time changes, five-set matches … Now I need to have those answers again. “

Wimbledon goal

Federer's idea is to be “one hundred percent at Wimbledon” and he doesn't think about the records he is fighting for with Nadal and Djokovic. It will also be in Dubai (March 14-20). Fans, tennis and sports in general celebrate it. He just waits “continue long enough to return to full stadiums.”

Table and results.