Federer: I won’t make it to SW19

ROGER FEDERER has put a huge question mark over his future by admitting he is unlikely to play at Wimbledon next year.

The 40-year-old Swiss legend, recovering from a series of knee operations, has not played since losing in the quarter-finals at SW19 last summer.

And his gradual return to fitness will come too late for another crack at Wimbledon, where he has been champion eight times.

“I will be able to resume running in January and resume sessions on the court with complex support in March or April,” Federer said. “I estimate my return to competition in the summer of 2022 so I would be extremely surprised if I could play Wimbledon.”

The 20-time Grand Slam champion (above) conceded he has gone under the surgeon’s knife more to have a normal life than to return to top-level tennis. “This summer it was decided to suture the lesion to my meniscus, which involves some down-time,” he added. “The doctors also took the opportunity to treat my cartilage.

“I had this operation done so I could ski with my children, or play football or tennis in the future. My primary motivation was to get back in shape for my normal life. But I wanted to approach this rehabilitation with the mentality and body of a top athlete.

“My ambition is to see what I’m capable of one last time. I want to say goodbye on my own terms, and on a tennis court.

“My world will not collapse if I never play in another Grand Slam final. But it is my ultimate dream to return to the court.

“In fact, I still believe in it. I believe in these kinds of miracles. I have already experienced them.”