Tennis legend Boris Becker has backed Roger Federer to perform at Wimbledon following his French Open withdrawal. Federer prematurely departed Roland Garros earlier this month due to fitness concerns after reaching the fourth round.
Federer defeated Dominik Koepfer in a third-round affair that ran past midnight in front of an empty Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris.
A day later, he announced his withdrawal after feeling the effects of two knee surgeries in the build-up to the tournament.
“After discussions with my team, I have decided I will need to pull out of Roland-Garros today,” Federer stated.
“After two knee surgeries and over two years of rehabilitation, it’s important that I listen to my body and make sure I don’t push myself too quickly on my road to recovery.
“I am thrilled to have gotten three matches under my belt. There is no greater feeling than being back on court.”
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Former world number one and three-time French Open semi-finalist Boris Becker has had his say on Federer’s decision.
Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, Becker explains that you can’t write off Federer’s chances of more Wimbledon glory despite his French Open withdrawal.
He said: “As we thought before this tournament, Roger Federer has his sights set very much on Wimbledon. Was his withdrawal mid-tournament out of order?
“I think he made a mistake in being so direct in his press conference immediately after his last match by saying he was contemplating it.
“If anything, he was too honest. Some players would have spun a line about being injured, but Federer has very little track record of pulling out because of physical issues and chose to tell it how it is.
“He is Roger Federer, and I think he has probably earned the right at his age to do things his way.
“I also saw enough of him and the way he moved to think it would be very foolish to write off his chances at Wimbledon.”
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Federer recently arrived in Germany to start preparations for Halle 2021, ahead of the grass-court season.
The Swiss superstar has dominated the tournament in recent years, winning five of the last seven editions.
Halle is his preferred preparation for Wimbledon, where he is also the record singles winner with eight successes.
The 2021 edition starts on Monday before Wimbledon kicks off later this month.
With Nadal in the French Open semi-finals and heavily favoured to win a record-extending 14th title, Federer could have a lot to play for at the upcoming grass-court Grand Slam.
Nadal would overtake the 39-year-old on 21 Grand Slam titles by lifting the trophy at Roland Garros on Sunday.
Federer should be determined to level the scores at his preferred major this summer.
Hopefully, his knee won’t stifle those hopes, and a ninth Wimbledon success will make his French Open withdrawal look like a masterstroke.
