What is Roger Federer’s Exit Plan?

Returning to full time play after an 18 month layoff, many are questioning what the almost 40 year old, who many consider the greatest of all time, has left to give to the game.

09/05/2021

Ravin Batra

For years now, Roger Federer has been the face of tennis. Whether it be his aggressive, attractive style of play, his unprecedented success, his ability to speak fluently in four languages or the sheer number of sponsors he has- Federer’s name has been synonymous with the game. The last 18 months, however, has given tennis fans a look at what the sport looks like without arguably its most marquee player.

Having undergone two knee surgeries during the pandemic hit season of 2020, Federer hadn’t played a competitive match since his semi final loss to archrival and current world number 1- Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2020. After months of quarantine with his family and rehabilitation on his knee, the Swiss announced his return to the courts at an ATP 250 event in Doha. After bowing out in the quarterfinals, Federer took another 8 weeks off only to lose his opening match on the clay at another 250 event in Geneva. His return to Grand Slam tennis saw more encouraging signs with a run to a third round at Roland Garros after which he withdrew from the tournament stating his focus is solely on the grass season, Olympics and the year ahead. Turning 40 in August, many have questioned what the 20 time grand slam winner has left in him and what he wants to achieve from his last days in the sport. Is he here to simply make up the numbers? Can he win another slam? Is he comfortable competing if he drops down the rankings? What will his retirement look like? These are all questions that remain to be answered.

This isn't the first time the Swiss maestro has come back from a long injury layoff. 2017 saw him come back after 6 months away from the sport nursing back and knee issues and play one of his best ever seasons. Beating his greatest rival Rafeal Nadal in the final of only his second tournament back (first official tournament) at the Australian Open lit the fire for a run of 54 victories over the course of the year including titles at Wimbledon, Indian Wells, Miami, Shanghai, Halle and Basel in addition to the victory in Melbourne. Not only was it the success that surprised tennis experts and fans, but the way in which that success came. Termed as one of his few weaknesses, Federer decided to be more aggressive with his backhand- hitting over it at every opportunity and generating more force with his bigger racquet face. His movement was pristine and his decision making on point. Some say 2017 Federer was an improved version of his 2006 prime, whilst he denies it- there was definitely a case to be made.

While his 2017 comeback may give fans hope, the then 35 year old Federer is now 5 years older and limited in certain aspects of his game. In his three matches at Roland Garros, the Swiss showed signs of his trademark elegance and patterns of play, however, was often found out with his footwork- reacting slowly to his backhand side and coming off gingerly from sharp turns. Clay is undoubtedly the most physically demanding surface on the tour and the 20 time Grand Slam champion should find it easier to impose himself with his serve and plus one play on the faster grass and hard surfaces, however, the question still begs itself whether Federer can find what it takes in the big moments to beat the likes of Novak Djokovic and Rafeal Nadal and the rising Next Gen at the latter stages of tournaments. Federer just might have to be content with making up the numbers at the more important tournaments- which is something he hasn’t done since his breakthrough victory against Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001. While he maintains that going deep and winning tournaments is still a priority, the grass courts of Wimbledon- which no man other than Djokovic, Andy Murray, Nadal and Federer himself has been able to conquer since 2003, might possibly be his only opportunity. His use of the slice and quick transition to the net is unparalleled, and if he is able to generate some power back in his legs there is no reason to believe he will not go deep.

Post Wimbledon, Federer has publicly stated his intentions to compete at the Olympics, where a singles gold medal is the only thing missing in what is otherwise a perfect career. He has hinted at making the trip to New York for the final slam of the year and will need solid performances to be able to qualify for the world tour finals to round out the year. Should he not perform up to expectation (expectations will always be to the moon with Federer) he is likely to finish the year at his home tournament in Basel where it is rumored that the centre court is going to be renamed in his name.

Nobody knows what Federer is thinking in terms of his future on tour, maybe he himself is basing it on how he plays. Time will tell how he fares- will he be back to contending for titles, picking and choosing tournaments to wow the fans or secretly be embarking on his last hurrah?