Roger Federer: This is a stepping stone

Beaten Swiss star Roger Federer hopes to be 100 per cent fit for Wimbledon; withdraws from Dubai ATP tournament after exit in Doha quarter-finals

Roger Federer admitted his goal was to be “100 per cent” back in business by the time Wimbledon rolls around after the 20-time Grand Slam title winner saw his comeback from 13 months out with injury end in Doha on Thursday.

Federer, 39, squandered a match point and was knocked out of the Qatar Open by Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili in his first tournament since losing to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals in January 2020.

Federer, who underwent two knee surgeries last season, secured the first set against World No. 42 Basilashvili but eventually wilted and lost the quarter-final tie 6-3, 1-6, 5-7. It was just the second match of his return, having also needed three sets to see off Britain’s Dan Evans on Wednesday. 

“I might be better earlier, that would be a bonus and that means I’m at 100 per cent before Wimbledon,” said Federer when asked if he was targeting the All England Club because that was the earliest he anticipated being back at full strength. 

“I’ll just see how much workload the body and the knee still take and what’s the best way to prepare all the way for basically the beginning of the season for me, which is the grass court season.” Federer has won eight of his 20 majors at Wimbledon.

“I’ve come from so far away that I’m actually happy that I was able to play back-to-back three set matches against top players,” said Federer, a former World No. 1 now down at six in the rankings. “That’s an important step forward for me. I know that I’m still building up, this is a stepping stone.” Looking ahead, Federer also said that he had not taken decisions on tournaments before Wimbledon or the Tokyo Olympics but hinted that he would likely be at Roland Garros.

Meanwhile, Federer on Thursday withdrew from next week’s Dubai ATP tournament, claiming “it’s best to go back to training” as his comeback from 13 months on the sidelines ended after two matches at the Qatar Open.  “It’s been great to be back on the @atptour, loved every minute playing in Doha once again,” he tweeted.

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