Federer out of Australian Open

Roger Federer

Roger Federer has confirmed that he will not play at the 2022 Australian Open and said he would be “extremely surprised” if he is able to be fit for Wimbledon.

The 40-year-old said he is expecting to be able to resume running in January and then return to training on the court in March or April ahead of potentially playing in the summer at the earliest.

Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, therefore confirmed for the first time that he would not be able to appear at Melbourne Park for the first major tournament of the upcoming season.

“I need to be very patient and give my knee the time to heal. The next few months will be crucial,” Federer told Swiss publication Le Matin.

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“My ambition is to see what I’m capable of one last time. I also wish I could say goodbye in my own way and on a tennis court. That’s why I’m giving my all in my rehabilitation.

“Then let’s be clear, my life is not going to fall apart if I don’t play a Grand Slam final again. But it would be the ultimate dream to go back. And in fact, I still believe in it. I believe in these kinds of miracles.

“I will be able to resume running in January and resume sessions on the court with complex support in March or April.”

He then added that he would be “extremely surprised to be able to play Wimbledon” next summer.

Sporting Tribune