Roger Federer

Roger Federer isn't ready to close the Wimbledon chapter of his career.

The tennis legend took part Sunday in a ceremony celebrating past champions and left the door open for a return to the grass of the All England Club.

With eight singles titles to his name, @rogerfederer 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/ucGLn0wW6q

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2022

"I hope I can come back one more time," he said.

Federer hasn't competed in an ATP Tour event since his 2021 quarterfinal run at Wimbledon. He indicated he's looking to return to a somewhat regular competitive schedule in 2023.

At 40, Federer has already extended his career well beyond other greats. Pete Sampras was 30 when he made his last appearance at Wimbledon in 2002. Bjorn Borg retired when he was only 26.

The odds of Federer lifting one last trophy at Centre Court wouldn't be low in the event he enters the 2023 draw. But the Swiss certainly deserves at least one more run in London to celebrate his legacy in the Grand Slams.

Novak Djokovic has played in just one match in the 2022 season, as his refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccination has meant he couldn't participate or travel to tournaments like the Australian Open, BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open, among others. 

But the 34-year-old is eager to return to a more regular schedule in the future.

"I miss competition," he told reporters Sunday. "I still feel motivation to be on the tour and compete ... and try to challenge the best players in the world for the biggest titles."

Djokovic will compete at the Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco this week, one of the lead-up tournaments to the French Open in late May. 

"I will try to use [the French Open title] as an inspiration to kick-start the clay-court season the best possible way," he said. "I understand that I probably won't be at my best, particularly at the beginning."

He added, "It will take some time, some matches, to really get in the groove."

Djokovic attempted to play in the Australian Open this season, only to be deported from the country after an 11-day legal battle because of his unvaccinated status.

Since then, he watched Rafael Nadal win that tournament, moving to 21 Grand Slams wins—one more than both Djokovic and Roger Federer—and lost his No. 1 ranking in February, a mark he held for two years. 

He also cut ties with his longtime coach, Marian Vajda, ending a 15-year partnership. 

"The last four, five months have been really challenging for me mentally and emotionally, but here I am and I try to leave all that behind and move on," Djokovic said in Monaco.

Djokovic was superb in 2021, going 55-7 with five singles title, including the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the French Open. He reached the final of the U.S. Open but lost to Daniil Medvedev, denying him the first calendar sweep of the Grand Slams in the men's game since Rod Laver pulled off the trick in 1969. 

When on the court, Djokovic is one of the best players to ever live, one-third of the golden age in men's tennis alongside Federer and Nadal. He's hoping to more regularly be on the court going forward. 

Daniil Medvedev is set to become the world's top-ranked men's tennis player after Novak Djokovic was upset by Jiri Vesely in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Championships.

Medvedev, the winner of the 2021 U.S. Open and a finalist at the 2022 Australian Open, is the first player other than Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Andy Murray to sit No. 1 since 2004. The 26-year-old is the third Russian to ascend to No. 1, joining Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin. 

Djokovic had been the world No. 1 since Feb. 3, 2020, when he unseated Nadal. The Serb holds the all-time record for weeks at No. 1 with 361.

It's likely Djokovic would have remained the world's top-ranked player for longer if it weren't for his decision to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine. He was deported from Australia ahead of the 2022 Australian Open over his vaccination status, a move that cost him critical points in the world rankings system.

Medvedev, by contrast, made it all the way to his second consecutive Grand Slam final before losing to Nadal in a five-set thriller. 

"It is great for tennis to have someone new at World No. 1," Vesely said after his win over Djokovic. "Novak is such a champion, he has been No. 1 for 361 weeks, but tennis needs new World No. 1s and there is a new generation coming up and I think it is great."

Medvedev is emerging as one of the faces of that new generation, with 24-year-old Alexander Zverev, 23-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas and 25-year-old Matteo Berrettini all looking to be among his top competitors. 

There are clearly no hard feelings from Roger Federer about Rafael Nadal becoming the first man to win 21 Grand Slams.

Federer took to Instagram with a warm message for his longtime rival after Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev in Sunday's 2022 Australian Open final:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Roger Federer about Rafael Nadal’s
#21 pic.twitter.com/L7LMIc9Lzf

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 30, 2022

Nadal holds a 24-16 overall record against Federer during their storied careers, including a 10-4 mark in Grand Slams. The Spaniard's win over Medvedev broke his tie with Federer and Novak Djokovic for the most Slams in men's tennis history.

Federer's future in tennis is currently murky, as he's missed most of the last two years with knee problems. The 40-year-old has maintained he plans to attempt a comeback this year, but it's fair to wonder if his days as a major championship competitor are over.

The same cannot be said for Nadal, who will likely head into the 2022 French Open as the favorite for his 14th championship at Roland Garros. His path in France could be even clearer if Djokovic is unable to enter the country because of his vaccination status.

Djokovic missed the 2022 Australian Open after being deported from Australia because he is unvaccinated for COVID-19 and did not meet the country's protocols to gain entry on an exemption. France recently enacted a strict vaccine law that could limit Djokovic's ability to play in the French Open if he is not inoculated.

Roger Federer revealed that he will not play in next year's Australian Open and that he would be "incredibly surprised to play Wimbledon" as well.

Federer spoke exclusively with Mathieu Aeschmann of La Tribune de Geneve (h/t Christopher Clarey of the New York Times) on the matter.

The 20-time Grand Slam singles champion just had his fourth knee operation, getting surgery on the meniscus and articular cartilage in his right knee, per Clarey. He isn't allowed to resume full running until January and full tennis training until March or April.

"We can sum up my ambitions this way: I want to find out one more time what I'm capable of as a professional tennis player," Federer told Aeschmann.

"I am fighting for that, and I'm very motivated. I feel the support of my team and my family. We'd all like for me to be able to say farewell on my terms and on a tennis court."

The 40-year-old Federer made his professional debut in 1998. He has won eight Wimbledons, six Australian Opens, five U.S. Opens and one French Open, putting him in a three-way tie with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic for the most men's singles Grand Slam titles with 20.

Federer is one of the greatest tennis players in the sport's history, notably winning 14 majors from 2004-2009 and finishing as a Grand Slam singles runner-up on six occasions.

However, like any other elite athlete, age and injuries have caught up to the superstar, and he just struggled through a tough 2021 season that saw him finish with his worst winning percentage (69 percent for a 9-4 record) since 2000.

Federer revealed in the interview that he may be out until 2023, but he is determined to leave the game on a high note.

"The simplest thing would almost be to say: 'That's it. I gave a lot, received a lot, let's stop it all,'" Federer said.

"But to give everything to come back one more time is also my way of thanking the fans. They deserve better than the image I left during the grass-court season this year."

Regarding whether or not he returns in 2022 or 2023, Federer had this to say.

If you push the reasoning further, it doesn't make much difference whether I return in 2022 or not until 2023. At 40 or 41, it's the same. The question is whether I can keep pushing myself hard day after day. Today, my heart says yes. So I'm going step by step. It's another challenge like I've faced many times in my career, sometimes without the public realizing it. And even if I know very well that the end is near, I want to try to play some more big matches. It won't be easy but we're going to try.

Federer's career accolades also include 310 total weeks as the ATP's No. 1 player, a record that held until Novak Djokovic broke it this year. He also won a gold medal in doubles competition at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Tennis legend Roger Federer is in no hurry to get back on the court.

After undergoing knee surgery last month, Federer said he doesn't plan on rushing his recovery.

"I've got to first walk again properly, run properly and then do the side steps and all the agility work," Federer said. "And then eventually I've got to be back on the tennis court."

Federer said it will be "a few more months" for his recovery and he plans to assess where he's at early next year.

"I've got to take my time," he continued. "I don't want to rush into anything at this point."

At 40 years old Federer is currently tied with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic with 20 major titles, the most of all time among men's tennis players. Federer had two operations on his knee in 2020 that kept him out for most of the year.

Federer's return in March was cut short after suffering another knee injury during grass-court season, which led to the surgery in August.

Federer reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon but lost in straight sets to 24-year-old Polish player Hubert Hurkacz, failing to win a game in the third set. It was the first time in 19 years at Wimbledon that Federer lost in straight sets and just the second time since 2000 that he lost a set 6-0.

While attending this weekend's Laver Cup, an exhibition event he co-created, Federer was seen moving around on crutches. He gave no indication that retirement was on the horizon.

"This is also for my life. I want to make sure I can do everything I want to do later on," Federer said. "There's no rush with anything, so I'm actually in a really good place. I think the worst is behind me. I'm really happy."     

The U.S. Open will be without both Williams sisters this year. 

On the same day that Serena Williams announced she was withdrawing from the grand slam as she recovers from a torn hamstring, Venus Williams also pulled out of the event:

Not the best news everyone. I am joining @serenawilliams @RafaelNadal and @rogerfederer on the injured list. It’s still going to be a great US Open & many thanks to the @usta for the wild card. I was so looking forward to it, but it was not meant to be this year. I will be back! pic.twitter.com/s0PRgdSSx2

— Venus Williams (@Venuseswilliams) August 25, 2021

Venus Williams withdraws from the US Open because of a leg injury

This will be the first Grand Slam event in the main singles draw without Venus, Serena Williams, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal since 1997 pic.twitter.com/hLbPZtEKm4

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 25, 2021

"Having some issues with my leg all this summer," Williams said in her Twitter post. "And just couldn't work through it. Tried my best here in Chicago but I just was unable to figure out the equation."

She added that she didn't currently have a timetable for her return to the court. 

"I am really disappointed," she said of missing the U.S. Open. "It's a tough time right now, but like all tough times, they don't last forever. ... Regardless, I'm wishing all players the best of luck this year. Be well—don't get hurt like I did. Stay safe, and everybody enjoy the U.S. Open, I know I'll be watching from home."

Williams, 41, was ousted in her first match at the Chicago Women's Open this past week, losing to Hsieh Su-wei in straight sets. The long-time star is currently ranked No. 147 in the WTA. Her low ranking also meant she didn't qualify to play at the Tokyo Olympics

If Williams' career is winding down, it has been an incredible one. She has won seven grand slam singles titles (five at Wimbledon, two at the U.S. Open), 14 grand slam doubles titles, four Olympic gold medals and a silver. 

While her sister Serena will go down as the greatest player in the history of the women's game, Venus Williams was undoubtedly a force in her prime and one of the most decorated players in history. Before Serena dominated the sport, it was Venus who won four grand slam titles between 2000-01. 

Injuries and Sjogren's syndrome shortened her prime, and she's largely struggled in recent years. But the story of women's tennis cannot be told without Venus Williams. 

Roger Federer will undergo knee surgery that will cost him "many months" of action, he announced in an Instagram video Sunday.

"I want to give myself a glimmer of hope to return to the tour in some shape or form," he said, via Arash Madani.

The issue will at least take him out of the 2021 U.S. Open, which is scheduled to begin on Aug. 30.

The 40-year-old last appeared at Wimbledon, reaching the quarterfinals before a loss to Hubert Hurkacz. Federer then withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics as well as hard-court tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati. 

"I haven't done anything for a long time because of my knee," he recently told Blick (via Yasmin Syed of the Express). "After Wimbledon, I had to let everything sink in first. This week I'll meet my doctors and my team, and then we'll see what happens next. At the moment, everything is still a little uncertain."

His future is now seemingly even more uncertain as he looks to recover from yet another surgery.

The veteran had two knee surgeries in 2020 and missed about a full year of action before making his return in March 2021. He has appeared in just five tournaments this year, producing a 9-4 record.

Despite the injuries, Federer is one of the best male tennis players of all time, having won 20 Grand Slam titles, including eight at Wimbledon.  

The Swiss player is currently tied with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal for the most major titles in men's history. His last Grand Slam victory came at the 2018 Australian Open. 

When the 2020 Olympic Games begin in Tokyo next week, Roger Federer won't be part of the delegation of athletes from Switzerland. 

Federer announced on Tuesday he won't compete in Tokyo after suffering a setback with his surgically repaired right knee:

pic.twitter.com/ngIlD6MYew

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) July 13, 2021

Federer has taken on a lighter schedule this season in an attempt to preserve his health for the long haul. 

After announcing in June 2020 that he wouldn't play the remainder of the ATP Tour schedule following a second surgery on his knee in four months, Federer didn't return to the court until March at the ExxonMobil Open. 

A third-round win over Dominik Koepfer at the French Open that lasted nearly three hours and 40 minutes led to Federer's withdrawing from the tournament prior to his next match. 

"After two knee surgeries and over a year 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," Federer said in a statement. "There is no greater feeling than being back on court."

Federer played one tune-up event before Wimbledon, losing to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round of the Noventi Open in Germany. The Swiss star won his first four matches at Wimbledon before falling to Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets. 

That defeat marked just the third time in Federer's legendary career that he lost in straight sets at Wimbledon. The last time came against Mario Ancic in 2002, one year before he won his first career Grand Slam title. 

Federer competed in each of the previous four Olympic Games from 2000 to 2016. He won gold in men's doubles playing with Stan Wawrinka in 2008, and he took home a silver medal in men's singles at the 2012 Games in London.    

Roger Federer's quest to reach the Wimbledon men's singles final came to a crashing halt on Wednesday. 

The eight-time Wimbledon champion fell in straight sets to Hubert Hurkacz in an uncharacteristic quarterfinal loss. 

Federer had worked his way back from a long-term injury and appeared to be hitting his stride in London, but he was unable to find the championship level over the course of his match with Hurkacz. 

The loss opened up the draw even more for Novak Djokovic to win his 20th career Grand Slam. 

The top seed cruised into the final four with a three-set win over Marton Fucsovics to set up a semifinal match with Denis Shapovalov. 

Djokovic is now the overwhelming favorite to capture the Wimbledon crowd as the only Grand Slam champion in the field. 

      

Wednesday Results

No. 1 Novak Djokovic def. Marton Fucsovics, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4

No. 14 Hubert Hurkacz def. No. 6 Roger Federer, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0

No. 7 Matteo Berrettini def. No. 16 Felix Auger-Aliassime, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-3

No. 10 Denis Shapovalov def. No. 25 Karen Khachanov, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-4

The 39-year-old Federer left Centre Court to a standing ovation, which came as a respectful cheer for what he has accomplished over his career in London and how he battled back from his injury in the last few months. 

Wimbledon was the second major tournament in which the Swiss participated in since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federer withdrew from the French Open in the fourth round and looked to be in good shape entering the final eight at Wimbledon.

As Wednesday's match went on, Federer's form dipped, and he suffered a shutout loss in a set for the first time in his career at Wimbledon. 

ESPN Stats and Info pointed out just how historic Hurkacz's straight-set win and the third-set shutout were: 

Hubert Hurkacz defeats Roger Federer 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0.

It marks just the 3rd time in Federer’s career that he has lost in 3 straight sets at Wimbledon.

It also marks just the 3rd time in Federer’s career that he’s been bageled at a major. pic.twitter.com/JQFo6aSKye

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 7, 2021

While most of the attention will be on Federer losing the match, Hurkacz deserves credit for playing one of the best matches of his life.

The No. 14 seed had not advanced out of the third round in any of his previous major appearances and did not own a win over Federer before Wednesday. 

Hurkacz's run to the semifinals is remarkable. The Pole knocked out No. 2 seed Daniil Medvedev in five sets in the previous round. The 24-year-old will face Matteo Berrettini in the semifinals after the seventh seed got past Felix Auger-Aliassime in four sets. 

The Italian cruised to a first-set victory, lost the second set and then battled in a tight third set. He gained the advantage in the contest with the third-set victory. Berrettini earned an early break off the 16th-seeded Canadian to earn an edge in the fourth set. 

The winner of the Berrettini-Hurkacz semifinal will likely face Djokovic in Sunday's men's singles final. 

Djokovic looked like he did not break a sweat through his three-set triumph over the unseeded Fucsovics. 

The Serb has not dropped a set since the opening frame of the first round and could surge past Shapovalov in the same manner on Friday.

Djokovic owns a 6-0 head-to-head record over Shapovalov. He has four straight-set wins in best-of-three contests and has only lost two sets to the Canadian in those matchups. 

Shapovalov took a set off Djokovic in their first meeting at the 2019 Australian Open, but the 19-time Grand Slam winner responded with a fourth-set shutout. 

Djokovic has never lost to the two other semifinalists. He has two victories each over Hurkacz and Berrettini, so he should be in great position to capture the Wimbledon crown.