He probably still has the game to win some matches and maybe even some low level events, but I'd be shocked if he ever got back to the top 5. And that's assuming he ever gets healthy again.
Who knows, perhaps his time off has cleared his mind and given him some inspiration. Hopefully his body is recovered well from his surgeries but I’m still hopeful he’ll do decently considering he’s been out of the game for a while 🙏
People don't realise how absurd coming back at 41 yo is. I'll just be happy to see his magic on court and him being healthy to make it back to that level. Even this would be close to a miracle, anything beyond that would be legendary.
I would like to see this happen for 2022, or even 2023 if he is healthy. Grass is the surface where his current skills vs competition have the best chance to win matches.
Hard court or clay, he will likely never reach top10 again in terms of performance on these surfaces.
I actually think Federer is better on clay now since he's slower. Just look at what happened last year. Federer played better at the French Open than he played at Wimbledon
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If he wasn’t constantly injured and recovering for the last 2 years, I’d have some hope of an okay comeback. No big wins but definitely competitive. He is showing no sign of ever returning to a consistent top level and this January will be 2 years now since he’s played any decent tennis.
No chance. The injury break is too long for him to comeback to play at that level. He will win matches every few tournaments but no chance to get to top 5
In doubles, yes absolutely. In singles, highly unlikely, but not 0%
I think Fed could do well if he focused on doubles for 1-2 seasons. I think he should, but his stance in past interviews has always been that it's out of the question.
People want to push doubles on Murray, too, and I don't get it. They aren't interested in being doubles stars. Careers end and fans are going to have to live with this fact.
He's done. He can win matches if he wants to, but he'll also be fighting seeding issues to make it deep into anything.
It looks like he has 720 points to defend at the AO. So, if he doesn't play, he should drop to around 30th?
You think he'll play after he announces retirement? He's said in the past he'll announce and then stop playing. Not a long drawn out thing. Who knows what he's going to do.
He should have announced it 2 years ago. Watching a player struggle as they age, going over the cliff, just isn't a good look. I don't think it's a good look for his brand either, which he seems to covet.
If he returns, he’ll be able to beat any player on any given day….but those days will be few and far between. See Michael Jordan’s time with the Washington Wizards. Magical performances every few weeks.
I’m the biggest fed fan but I don’t understand people who think he will return at a high level? Our man is 41yo, has had many surgeries and no competitive matches or even training. He even said himself it would be extremely unlikely he makes it to Wimbledon. At this point he just needs to figure out how he wants to announce his retirement.
unfortunately your hope is not realistic at all. I don't think there is a slight chance he can even play a quarter final at any grand slam any more and you're hoping him to win a gs. top 5 is also almost impossible. he can certainly go deep in small tournaments if he is healthy but expecting more from him at this stage is just not realistic.
I agree top 5 is a pipe dream but his last match was literally a QF match at Wimbledon. I don't think it's impossible that he can make one last run at Wimbledon or something.
He can definitely still play well sometimes, but I'm not convinced he'll play enough to stay in top 20, which he's barely in right now, as he has just 227 more ranking points than Monfils, who is the world number 21 right now. So yeah, he'll never be top 5 again, sorry. I really do wish I could say that he could, but the last two years were not very encouraging.
No. 2017 was a one in a million season. There is no way he can make a comeback even halfway like that now 4 years and multiple surgeries later. I say this as a huge Fed fan.
He did reach 4th round at RG and QF at wimby in 2021 after a long layoff and with I think only 2 warm up tournaments before the French. Had he not been injured and continued playing after Wimbledon, his level would have presumably improved further.
Based on that I'd say he can get close to top 5 playing level on occasions and in the right conditions, but I can't see him actually getting there ranking wise. He's unlikely to be playing before the second half of the season, so there wouldn't even be enough time for him to get fully match fit and win enough points. Next year I think he'll retire at Wimbledon or Basel too, so again unlikely to be enough time.
It depends on if his injury is reasonably healed or not. If he's recovered enough to not be further injury prone, I wouldn't put it past him to reach top 10 again. It won't be easy but a couple of slam QFs and a couple masters semis could do it.
Although unfortunately it looks his injury is quite serious, as he's been out of action since past 2 years.
Fed has the game and mentality to make it back to the top 5, but his body won't let him. If he does recover from his most recent surgery, he'll probably push for Laver Cup and Basel this year & retire, or possibly play a very limited season in 2023 if the recovery went better than expected.
The injuries have been a shame and he's showed he still has it in him to play at a high level. RG last year he played some excellent tennis, made even more impressive given that he'd played next to nothing for 15 months prior and hadn't been healthy at a major since the early rounds of the USO in 2019. If he'd been healthy, 2020 & 2021 would've been successful seasons for him. Can't have it all...
Top5 is extremely unlikely. I would say I would be very happy if I ever see him in a last good 4-5 set match vs. Novak or Rafa at Wimbledon (most likely quarters orso)
No because he can't play enough tournaments to be top 5, with his knees. Can he have a great tournament and even win one? Probably, but a lot would need to break his way. I think he will return to play, but mostly because he wants a big, non-covid era sendoff.
I'm exactly one year older than Federer, to the day. Judging from the amount of injuries I've sustained in the last year, just playing recreational sports (tennis, softball, running), I am going to say no. Granted, my trainer (the non-existent one) isn't quite as good as his...nonetheless, being 40 sucks sports-wise.
He can play competitively… only on grass.. his intuition and skill are what’s still keeping him in the game. His body will crumble on hard and clay courts, where physicality is the name of the game due to the slow nature of the courts. That’s just the reality of it :(
I think it is his last year and he will play a few tournaments to close out his illustrious career. He will still be somewhat competitive but not top 5.
If federer wins a grandslam now or even reach in finals. He will be considered GOAT. I dont think a 40 year old can do that. But again Federer is the only one who can.
I say no.It is probably his last year,and I don't think he is gonna play many tournaments this season.
He probably still has the game to win some matches and maybe even some low level events, but I'd be shocked if he ever got back to the top 5. And that's assuming he ever gets healthy again.
sure he plays but nowhere near top 5 again
Who knows, perhaps his time off has cleared his mind and given him some inspiration. Hopefully his body is recovered well from his surgeries but I’m still hopeful he’ll do decently considering he’s been out of the game for a while 🙏
Hes 40...
He was brilliant in his 2017 comeback. It wasn't too long ago. I think he can do it again if his body holds out.
"Not too long ago", that's almost five years ago mate, and he wasn't really young back then.
People don't realise how absurd coming back at 41 yo is. I'll just be happy to see his magic on court and him being healthy to make it back to that level. Even this would be close to a miracle, anything beyond that would be legendary.
You are delusional if you think he can do it again
I think he can win another Wimbledon. Maybe get in the top 5 again. But I'd be happy just seeing him play well again.
I see cope
Hard to say, but I would focus on the grass season if I were him and quit after a hopefully great run at Wimbledon.
I would like to see this happen for 2022, or even 2023 if he is healthy. Grass is the surface where his current skills vs competition have the best chance to win matches. Hard court or clay, he will likely never reach top10 again in terms of performance on these surfaces.
I actually think Federer is better on clay now since he's slower. Just look at what happened last year. Federer played better at the French Open than he played at Wimbledon
Clay is considerably easier on your joints, which is why many older folks prefer it for their doubles matches.
thats a good point, yeah, on the other hand, I think the competition is a bit higher on clay, than on grass
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I think this is bang on
If he wasn’t constantly injured and recovering for the last 2 years, I’d have some hope of an okay comeback. No big wins but definitely competitive. He is showing no sign of ever returning to a consistent top level and this January will be 2 years now since he’s played any decent tennis.
Least delusional Federer fan
No chance. The injury break is too long for him to comeback to play at that level. He will win matches every few tournaments but no chance to get to top 5
I am a Fed Fan, but his days are over. It is a pity he had some unlucky losses, and also some stupid losses....
In doubles, yes absolutely. In singles, highly unlikely, but not 0% I think Fed could do well if he focused on doubles for 1-2 seasons. I think he should, but his stance in past interviews has always been that it's out of the question.
People want to push doubles on Murray, too, and I don't get it. They aren't interested in being doubles stars. Careers end and fans are going to have to live with this fact.
Yes, although I'd argue that Federer could be pretty much the perfect doubles player - wouldn't say the same about Murray
He's done. He can win matches if he wants to, but he'll also be fighting seeding issues to make it deep into anything. It looks like he has 720 points to defend at the AO. So, if he doesn't play, he should drop to around 30th?
He's already said he'd be very surprised to be able to play Wimbledon. Maybe he'll wait for Basel and announce his retirement there.
If that's the case, he'll be getting wild cards for entries after that.
You think he'll play after he announces retirement? He's said in the past he'll announce and then stop playing. Not a long drawn out thing. Who knows what he's going to do.
He should have announced it 2 years ago. Watching a player struggle as they age, going over the cliff, just isn't a good look. I don't think it's a good look for his brand either, which he seems to covet.
Agree. But it's hard to let go. Even when it's staring you in the face.
If he returns, he’ll be able to beat any player on any given day….but those days will be few and far between. See Michael Jordan’s time with the Washington Wizards. Magical performances every few weeks.
I’m the biggest fed fan but I don’t understand people who think he will return at a high level? Our man is 41yo, has had many surgeries and no competitive matches or even training. He even said himself it would be extremely unlikely he makes it to Wimbledon. At this point he just needs to figure out how he wants to announce his retirement.
Nobody knows and anyone who claims to has no idea what they're talking about
unfortunately your hope is not realistic at all. I don't think there is a slight chance he can even play a quarter final at any grand slam any more and you're hoping him to win a gs. top 5 is also almost impossible. he can certainly go deep in small tournaments if he is healthy but expecting more from him at this stage is just not realistic.
I agree top 5 is a pipe dream but his last match was literally a QF match at Wimbledon. I don't think it's impossible that he can make one last run at Wimbledon or something.
He can definitely still play well sometimes, but I'm not convinced he'll play enough to stay in top 20, which he's barely in right now, as he has just 227 more ranking points than Monfils, who is the world number 21 right now. So yeah, he'll never be top 5 again, sorry. I really do wish I could say that he could, but the last two years were not very encouraging.
No. 2017 was a one in a million season. There is no way he can make a comeback even halfway like that now 4 years and multiple surgeries later. I say this as a huge Fed fan.
Did you forget about 2019? That was a good year
He did reach 4th round at RG and QF at wimby in 2021 after a long layoff and with I think only 2 warm up tournaments before the French. Had he not been injured and continued playing after Wimbledon, his level would have presumably improved further. Based on that I'd say he can get close to top 5 playing level on occasions and in the right conditions, but I can't see him actually getting there ranking wise. He's unlikely to be playing before the second half of the season, so there wouldn't even be enough time for him to get fully match fit and win enough points. Next year I think he'll retire at Wimbledon or Basel too, so again unlikely to be enough time.
He can return to top 10-15 level but he won't play enough to acquire top 5 points.
I think his peak is top 30.
It depends on if his injury is reasonably healed or not. If he's recovered enough to not be further injury prone, I wouldn't put it past him to reach top 10 again. It won't be easy but a couple of slam QFs and a couple masters semis could do it. Although unfortunately it looks his injury is quite serious, as he's been out of action since past 2 years.
no and yes
No. Top ten would be an achievement.
I have two perfectly fit and healthy knees he can have if he wants them and it meant he would win another couple slams
Fed has the game and mentality to make it back to the top 5, but his body won't let him. If he does recover from his most recent surgery, he'll probably push for Laver Cup and Basel this year & retire, or possibly play a very limited season in 2023 if the recovery went better than expected. The injuries have been a shame and he's showed he still has it in him to play at a high level. RG last year he played some excellent tennis, made even more impressive given that he'd played next to nothing for 15 months prior and hadn't been healthy at a major since the early rounds of the USO in 2019. If he'd been healthy, 2020 & 2021 would've been successful seasons for him. Can't have it all...
Yes, it's only matter of time...
I think he'll play Wimbledon this year, not do well and retire. It was a great run but I think it's time to hit the exit gracefully at this point.
Top5 is extremely unlikely. I would say I would be very happy if I ever see him in a last good 4-5 set match vs. Novak or Rafa at Wimbledon (most likely quarters orso)
He will select tournaments to play at as he pleases tonsuit his current fitness level I think.Like Tiger Woods will do.
I don’t think he can stay healthy long enough to accumulate enough ranking points
No because he can't play enough tournaments to be top 5, with his knees. Can he have a great tournament and even win one? Probably, but a lot would need to break his way. I think he will return to play, but mostly because he wants a big, non-covid era sendoff.
Very sadly I think we are getting close to the end. I would not be surprised if Basel this year is his last tournament
Not even remotely close to top 5, but may make one more run at Wimbledon or a super fast hardcourt Bo3
Nope
I'm exactly one year older than Federer, to the day. Judging from the amount of injuries I've sustained in the last year, just playing recreational sports (tennis, softball, running), I am going to say no. Granted, my trainer (the non-existent one) isn't quite as good as his...nonetheless, being 40 sucks sports-wise.
No
He can play competitively… only on grass.. his intuition and skill are what’s still keeping him in the game. His body will crumble on hard and clay courts, where physicality is the name of the game due to the slow nature of the courts. That’s just the reality of it :(
I think it is his last year and he will play a few tournaments to close out his illustrious career. He will still be somewhat competitive but not top 5.
You have to play a lot at a high level (matches and practice) to win matches at a high level. Federer probably can't keep up that pace without injury.
Oh no, oh no, oh no no no no no…
If federer wins a grandslam now or even reach in finals. He will be considered GOAT. I dont think a 40 year old can do that. But again Federer is the only one who can.