Tennis legend Roger Federer will not be playing Wimbledon for the first time since 1998, after he was not included in the main draw for this year’s event.
The 40-year-old has won the tournament eight times – a men’s record. He defeated Marin Cilic in 2017 to break the record previously set by Pete Sampras.
Federer then reached the final at SW19 in 2019. He lost a final set decider to Novak Djokovic 13-12.
Last year, the Switzerland ace reached the quarter-finals, but lost in straight sets to the 14th seed, Hubert Hurkacz.
Alongside Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, Federer is part of the quartet that has dominated men’s tennis for much of the current century.
He has won 20 Grand Slams – a men’s professional record – and finished as runner-up on 11 occasions. Federer is regarded by some as the best tennis player of all time – making his Wimbledon 2022 absence all the more keenly felt.
But why is Federer not playing at Wimbledon?
Why Roger Federer is not playing at Wimbledon 2022
Roger Federer underwent knee surgery in September, shortly after his quarter-final defeat to Hurkacz at last year’s Wimbledon. It was his third knee-related procedure in five years.
The 40-year-old has, however, been posting frequent positive updates on his recovery on Instagram. Fans held on to a glimmer of hope that he would be playing at SW19.
However, his agent, Tony Godsick, told the Evening Standard in May that a Wimbledon 2022 return would not be happening.
Godsick explained: “He’s exactly where he wants to be. But unfortunately, it takes time. He’s going to play Laver Cup [in September] and Swiss Indoors. Could he add a tournament before then? Maybe yes, but more likely after that.
“He doesn’t want to commit to anything too soon before having to pull out. But the Laver Cup is enough time that, if all goes well with rehab events, he can get back for.
He added: “It was a great effort last year [at Wimbledon] on one leg. And I think he’d like another Wimbledon. That place has been incredibly special to him.”
Tennis fans will have their 2023 cards marked as a hopeful SW19 return date for Roger Federer.
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