Roger Federer all but rules himself out of playing at Wimbledon next year

Roger Federer ‘would be extremely surprised’ if he has recovered from knee surgery in time to play at Wimbledon next summer, the 20-time grand slam winner has admitted.

But Federer, 40, underlined his determination to make it back on court one final time and bow out of tennis on his own terms – something he described as ‘the ultimate dream’.

Federer  had already been under the knife for two knee operations in 2020 – procedures which ruled him out of action for over a year. Then, in September, he had a third procedure in 18 months.

Roger Federer has all but ruled out playing at Wimbledon next summer after keen surgery

Federer had three knee operations in 18 months and is now set to hold off on retiring

According to Le Matin, Federer explained: ‘I will be able to resume running quietly in January and resume sessions on the court with complex support in March or April.

‘Today, I therefore estimate my return to competition in the summer of 2022. I would be extremely surprised if I could play Wimbledon.’

Wimbledon begins on Monday, June 27 next year, meaning eight-time SW19 champion Federer’s millions of fans across the world face a long wait to see him back on court again.

But, Federer insists, all being well they ultimately will see him playing competitive tennis in his 40s.

‘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,’ he said. ‘That’s why I give my all in my rehabilitation. 

‘Then let’s be clear, my life is not going to collapse 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.’

Federer is a 20-time grand slam winner and has been Wimbledon champion eight times

Ivan Ljubicic (right) insists tennis great Federer, 40, is determined to make another comeback

Federer’s coach, Ivan Lubijcic, confirmed earlier this week that the Swiss is out of January’s Australian Open.

‘He is still recovering and wants to be sure he can play to win the tournament and be at 100 per cent,’ he said. ‘So I think the Australian Open is not a real possibility right now. 

‘He will go step by step because he is 40 years old and needs to be patient. We have spoken and I can guarantee he wants to return to playing tennis.’