Roger Federer gave an interview to the Swiss media Schweizer Illustrierte in which he analyzed how this year 2020 has been for him, in which he has recovered from a knee injury and his options to play in the next Australian Open (February 8-21).
The Swiss tennis player wanted to emphasize that, despite the break, he has lived a similar experience to that of 2016, when he missed the second part of the season due to a knee injury. “I already experienced a 'normal' life in 2016, when I was also at home after knee surgery. This year has passed as fast as one on the track and the novelty is that it was in one place and we were able to make plans. There have also been situations and rules that we have had to adapt to. We were the whole family together and the stress disappeared. This year was nice because for example we didn't have to tell the children 'don't make too much noise in the morning because dad played late'. It was nice to live normally as a family for once. “
Federer also highlighted how he has spent the year with his family and even how they have dared to play doubles matches. “We have played a lot this year and we have done it in a fun way. The four of them can already play long exchanges. They ask me to play with them since before they told me: 'You are not my coach! Dad, you don't have to interfere with my game 'and I would say to them:' Okay, no problem, do it to your liking. But at some point you may have to come to mom (his wife, ex-tennis player Mirka Vavrinec) or to me. '
The Swiss tennis player also confessed that he has been in constant communication with Rafa Nadal during the months of the stoppage of the circuit and how he has missed the tournaments this season. “During the break I spoke a lot with Rafa Nadal. We are in the Players Council and we were wondering what is best for the sport or how we can move this forward. We also talked by phone about the restrictions in Spain and he asked me how I was after of the operation. At first I was happy to spend more time in Switzerland, but then I realized that I missed the friends you make on the track. “
Finally Federer left the door open to the possibility of playing the Australian Open despite the doubts that he had shown at first as a precaution not to force his knee. “We will spend Christmas in Dubai. We have only celebrated it here when we have had children. That is very nice but also very messy and the road from here to Australia is longer. I have yet to fully test my knee on a tennis court and I hope I can play in the Australian Open. Training indoors in the cold now is not ideal to prepare. But I'm at home with my family. “