Roger Federer has admitted he will be "extremely surprised" if he is able to compete at Wimbledon next summer.
The Swiss has not played since his SW19 campaign was ended by Hubert Hurkacz at the quarter-final stage in July, as he underwent knee surgery following the tournament.
It was suggested by Federer's coach, the former world No.3 Ivan Ljubicic, earlier this week that Federer would likely miss January's Australian Open, and that is now a certainty as the 40-year-old battles to save his career.
“I will be able to resume running quietly in January and resume sessions on the court with complex support in March or April," Federer told Swiss outlet Le Matin. "I therefore estimate my return to competition in the summer of 2022.
“[I would be] extremely surprised to be able to play Wimbledon. This summer it was decided to suture the lesion to my meniscus, which involves some downtime. The doctors therefore took the opportunity to also treat my cartilage. The combination of these two interventions requires patience and prudence. ”
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Federer has not given up hope of returning to the Grand Slam stage, but he will be 41 by the time the US Open rolls around in late August of next year.
“My ambition is to see what I'm capable of one last time," added Federer, who has played at every Wimbledon since 1999. "I also wish I could say goodbye in my own way and on a tennis court. That's why I give my all in my rehabilitation. Then let's be clear, my life is not going to collapse if I don't play a Grand Slam final again. But it would be the ultimate dream to go back. And in fact, I still believe in it. I believe in these kinds of miracles.”
