FEDERER FAREWELL IN DOUBT

ROGER FEDERER will leave it late before deciding whether he can play in this week’s Laver Cup at London’s 02 Arena. The Swiss legend has earmarked the team event as his last appearance in top-level tennis after realising a full comeback from knee problems will not be possible at the age of 41. Yet there remains a doubt over whether he will be able to return to the court alongside team-mates including Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

‘He will decide at the last moment,’ his longtime fitness trainer Pierre Paganini told Switzerland’s Blick. ‘He’s trained to have as much information as possible about whether it is a good idea or not.’ Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, has been drafted in as an on-site reserve for Team Europe, who will play Team World in the three-day event, which starts on Friday. Federer will be there regardless of whether he plays or not.