Federer began his 2020 season at the 2020 Australian Open. He reached the semifinals after straight sets wins over Steve Johnson and Filip Krajinović, a five-set win over John Millman and a four-set win over Márton Fucsovics. Federer saved seven match points in his five-set quarterfinal win over Tennys Sandgren. Federer then lost his semifinal match to Djokovic in straight sets, having sustained a groin injury earlier in the tournament. In February, Federer underwent arthroscopic surgery for a right knee injury and subsequently withdrew from Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami and the French Open to give time for his knee to recover, announcing that he would return in the grass season.
Roger Federer seemed to have 2020 all figured out. It was not going to be easy, but he at least knew for the most part where he was going to be and what he was going to be doing.
The Swiss all-time great had planned to play all four Grand Slam events, as well as the Tokyo Olympics and the Laver Cup, before – we all presumed – he hung up his racket for good with as many medals and trophies as he could carry in his old age. Many had scoped out the 2020 Swiss Indoors, his home tournament in conditions tailored to his exact preferences, as the place he would likely wave goodbye for the last time. He still plans to play it, but its context will be very different.
Refer to his coach Ivan Ljubicic’s interview by Italian Sports channel Sky Sport, on whether Roger would continue in 2021, Ljubicic said:“We have not talked yet about 2021. Time certainly does not stop and he will be 40 next year, but he has not hinted about a possible retirement. Federer had undergone knee surgery in late February and had planned to miss the season until the grass-court season prior to the tennis tour shutting down.”
Roger has already confirmed he will play at the Halle Open in 2021. That should clear up any questions of retirement in the near future at the very least. Roger Federer will probably continue to play even after 2021 as he is motivated by one thing – holding the record for the most Grand Slam titles in tennis.
This record is under threat by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic who have gotten very close. Federer will want to make sure he keeps hold of that record, which will surely play a major role in deciding the GOAT in tennis. So, Federer fans need not worry as the Swiss star is not retiring any time soon.
Next August will see Federer turn 40 and play at the US Open and in the rescheduled Laver Cup in September. And it remains to be seen whether Federer will still play on in 2022. But in the view of former world No 4 Todd Martin, he believes any thoughts the Swiss star had of retirement have been shelved and he backed the 38-year-old to leave the sport on a ‘high note’.
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