Roger Federer finished the 2019 season ranked 3rd behind two of his closest rivals, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Despite turning 38 in August, Federer played at a high level that year and conquered his last Masters 1000 crown in Miami.
Also, the Swiss had two match points on his serve in that epic Wimbledon final against Novak, squandering them and dropping the deciding tie break at 12-12. Roger made a strong start in 2020 and reached the Australian Open semi-final.
He lost to Djokovic in straight sets and announced knee surgery a couple of weeks later. The Swiss maestro needed another in May, wrapping up his season and hoping for a fresh start in 2021. Working hard on his comeback despite setbacks, Roger stepped on the court again in March last year in Doha, playing two encounters and taking another break until May.
Federer suffered an early loss in Geneva and headed to Roland Garros with no form or matches in his legs.
Roger Federer still feels pain in his knee.
Roger found the rhythm again and scored three victories in Paris to advance into the last 16.
Happy with his progress, Federer withdrew ahead of the Matteo Berrettini clash to preserve his knee for the beloved grass season. Roger experienced his earliest Halle exit after falling to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round.
He wished for a better run at Wimbledon, although he knew constant knee issues ruined his title chances. The veteran stopped the clock during his 22nd appearance at the All England Club. An eight-time champion toppled Adrian Mannarino, Richard Gasquet, Cameron Norrie and Lorenzo Sonego to advance into the quarter-final as the oldest player in the Open era!
Roger met Hubert Hurkacz and suffered his worst Wimbledon loss, having nothing more left in the tank. The Pole beat the Swiss 6-3, 7-6, 6-0 in Federer’s first bagel at Majors since the 2008 Roland Garros final. Roger underwent the third surgery a few weeks later, but with no results.
The Swiss struggled to train injury-free and decided to retire at the Laver Cup this September. A 20-time Major winner gathered his most formidable rivals and turned into a three-day show, one of the most emotional in tennis history.
Federer played his last match alongside Rafael Nadal, wasting a match point and falling to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe in a thriller. Roger knew it would be his last dance in the official tennis matches, still feeling the pain in his knee and flying to London a couple of weeks ago for more checks and a second opinion.
