Tennis

Roger Federer opts against copying Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic decision to practise


Roger Federer says he has no intention of returning to practise with uncertainty surrounding when the tennis season will resume.

With the deadly impact of the coronavirus pandemic, tennis at all levels is suspended with tournaments like Wimbledon forced to cancel.

It is hoped tennis can resume in August but given the global nature of the sport, it remains to be seen whether that target date will be met.

In a world without the coronavirus, Federer would have been working on his fitness following knee surgery in February and getting prepared to return for the grass-court season.

But speaking in a video call with Brazilian tennis legend Gustavo Kuerten, Federer said that with no tennis to prepare for, he is content to put his feet up and enjoy time with his family.

He said: “We have never stayed at home for more than five weeks since my last surgery in 2016.

“This is a great time for us, as a family, of course, we sometimes drive each other crazy, like any family.

“But honestly, we are healthy, our friends and family did not have the virus, which is important for us. And we’re doing well despite the circumstances.

“I’m not training at the moment because I don’t see a reason for that to be honest.

“I am happy with my body now and I still believe that the lap of the circuit is a long way off.

“And I think it’s important for my head at this point to enjoy this break after playing so much tennis. I don’t miss it so much.

“I will feel, eventually, when I am close to returning and have a goal to train for. I’m going to be super motivated.”

Federer’s decision is in direct contrast to several of his rivals, who have restarted training in recent days.

After the lifting of lockdown restrictions in Spain, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have both been pictured practising again.

World No 3 Dominic Thiem is training on the clay in Austria while Federer’s compatriot Stan Wawrinka is working on his game indoors in Switzerland.

While former British No 1 Andy Murray, who hasn’t played a match in 2020, has been at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton practising with his brother Jamie.



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