Roger Federer has cast doubt over his participation in the Australian Open after struggling to recover from double surgery on his left knee.
The six-time Australian Open champion had targeted the event, currently scheduled for a January 18 start, for his Grand Slam comeback.
But Federer, whose last tournament was the semi-final of the Australian Open back in January, said: “I would have hoped that I would be 100% in October. But I am still not today. It will be tight for the Australian Open.
“The second knee operation was a huge damper but, in the last six months, there has been steady progress. Let’s see how the next two months will unfold.”
The start date for the Australian Open is yet to be confirmed. Government rules over Covid-19 protocols, which players not allowed to arrive until the new year, means the start date is likely to be shifted with the window of February 8 to 21 currently on the table.
But Federer warned that even with the prospective date shift for the event it might not prove sufficient for him to get back to match fitness.
“It’s a race against time for the Australian Open,” he added, “but it would help if I had a bit more time.”
Federer turns 40 in August next year and remains on 20 Grand Slam titles level with Rafael Nadal with Novak Djokovic three back on 17.
