USA TODAY International Edition
Roger Federer looks to 2017,
This was the year Roger Federer never dreamed of, even in his worst nightmares: a fluke knee injury, a subsequent surgery, a stomach virus, a bad back and his first missed Grand Slam tournament in 17 years.
But the 17- time Grand Slam champion, who weeks ago announced that he was pulling the plug on his 2016 season, has one goal in mind: get healthy for 2017.
“I never thought I would have a year like this, my God,” Federer told reporters Wednesday at the St. Regis hotel in Manhattan. “I’m happy to be in New York, but in a way it’s painful. It was hard to watch the Olympics. I would have loved to be there, thinking about representing Switzerland and the chance to win a medal.
“I want to be super strong when I come back.”
Federer was joined by other tennis dignitaries Rafael Nadal, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver for a news conference about the Laver Cup, which was announced in January during the Australian Open.
An event styled after men’s golf’s Ryder Cup, the Laver Cup will make its debut Sept. 22- 24, 2017, at O2 Arena in Prague and feature Europe, including Federer and Nadal, against the world.
“I’m honored and excited about this format,” said Laver, the 11time Grand Slam champion who won the calendar Slam in 1969, the last player to do so. “Hopefully it’s going to be a competition that lasts in the world of tennis.”
Borg and McEnroe will serve as respective captains for the exhibition- style event, which Federer and Nadal have committed to ( Federer’s agency is a co- founder of the event) and will include sixplayer teams based on rankings, as well as picks by each captain.
“It’s a total dream come true,” said Borg, who will reignite his rivalry against McEnroe, in a way, as captains.
Federer and Nadal have had tennis’ most well- known rivalry since Borg- McEnroe. However, it has not dominated the latter rounds of the sport’s biggest events in the recent past like it did in the late 2000s, including their classic 2008 Wimbledon final.
Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will play at a U. S. Open without Federer for the first time in their careers. The last time Federer was not in the main draw was 1999.
Nadal, who turned 30 in June, is fresh off Olympic gold in Rio in the doubles event alongside fellow Spaniard Marc Lopez. But Nadal missed out on a singles medal with a loss in the bronze medal match to Kei Nishikori of Japan.
“For me, the Olympics was a very important event, especially after what happened with my wrist,” said Nadal, who pulled out of the French Open midway through the event and skipped Wimbledon because of a left wrist injury. “To have the chance to win a gold in doubles — especially with one of my friends like Marc — it was very emotional, an unforgettable moment. When you go to the Olympics and you win a medal, it’s the most important thing you can do.”
Federer is without an Olympic gold medal in singles. The 35year- old had set Rio as a target after losing to Murray in the London final in 2012, but his knee injury forced him to officially cut his season short in late July. He won gold in doubles in 2008 with Stan Wawrinka.
Federer declined to say if he would try for Tokyo in 2020.
His most immediate focus is to get healthy. He tweeted a photo of himself Monday on the practice court, and he said Wednesday that he was looking to get back into the gym full time in the next couple of months.
He’s signed up for January’s Hopman Cup — a team exhibition in the first week of the season — and then will target the Australian Open as a full- booted return.
“I don’t see it as the end of something, I see it as a beginning,” Federer said of the injury to his knee, which required surgery in February. “I want to be as strong as possible when I come back to the Australian summer and the Australian Open.”
The Laver Cup has ruffled some tennis feathers in an already-crowded schedule. The exhibition will feature men only to start and will be in a weekend- long format each September, though it won’t be held in Olympic years. ATP World Tour events could see a hit from players who choose to participate — with Federer’s and Nadal’s name attached — though it’s hard to think any top player would not accept the invitation. Prize money will be awarded.
“I would foresee this to be a nobrainer for the players to be a part of it. Why not?” Federer said. “I would always say yes to that. The future will tell. I’m going to be there, Rafa is going to be there and I hope that everyone will take part in it.”