Federer Hopes To Play In Front Of Crowds On 2021 Return
Zeeshan Mehtab Published July 09, 2020 | 11:20 PM
Berlin, July 9 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jul, 2020 ) :Roger Federer, who turns 39 next month, says he hopes to play again in front of crowds as he targets his comeback from a knee injury in 2021.
Having beaten long-time rival Rafael Nadal in an exhibition match in Cape Town in February, in front of a record crowd of 52,000, Federer has not played since knee surgery at the end of that month.
He had another procedure on his right knee in June but hopes to return in 2021 even though he will turn 40 in August next year.
"I want to come back healthy. We'll see how long that lasts," he told German weekly newspaper Die Zeit.
The Swiss ace says he has missed tennis more than ever since the coronavirus pandemic first hit and forced a shutdown of the sport in March.
"In the beginning it wasn't like that," he said.
"There was nothing we could do anyway, we were just especially glad that we weren't ill and that all our friends and family were doing well.
"But now I miss it, I'd love to be in a full stadium again." After a career which has yielded eight Wimbledon titles in a total of 20 Grand Slams, the last of which was the 2018 Australian Open, Federer knows his career is drawing to a close.
"I'm going miss it when I retire," he added, but hoping fans will eventually be allowed to watch live tennis in stadiums again, despite COVID-19.
"It'll come back. We just have to be patient now." Recently, Federer finished above Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to become the highest-earning athlete of 2019, according to Forbes.
"Maybe it's good for tennis that we can compete" with other sports, said Federer, who Forbes claim earned $106 million last year, mostly through endorsements.
"But I'm rather embarrassed when it's in the papers," admitted Federer.
ryj/dj
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 24 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 24 April 2024
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
More Stories From Sports
-
Rashid Latif for arranging Pakhtunkhwa Super League
10 hours ago -
Shadab Khan upbeat about lifting ICC T20I WC 2024
12 hours ago -
Ruben Amorim: Portugal's next coaching superstar, tipped for Liverpool
15 hours ago -
Sports Complex of FDA City opened for its members
16 hours ago -
VC IUB inaugurates Intervarsity Judo Championship
17 hours ago -
Australian Open Junior Squash medalists warmly welcome on arrival Peshawar
17 hours ago
-
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
18 hours ago -
Mardan, Peshawar wins Girls, Boys titles in Prime Minister Youth Talent Hunt Table Tennis League
18 hours ago -
Bismah, Sadia, Hani progress in ICC Women’s Rankings
19 hours ago -
Central Asian Volleyball League in Islamabad next month
19 hours ago -
UN urges UK to reconsider Rwanda deportation plan
19 hours ago -
Hockey Men’s Nations Cup from May 31
19 hours ago