'Roger Federer sees no alternative because of...', says expert

• Tennis News
• Roger Federer

On Sunday, Roger Federer announced that he will need a new right knee operation. It goes without saying that this setback could sanction his definitive retirement at 40, also given all the difficulties he has had to deal with in recent months.

There were just 13 games played by King Roger in 2021, a season that went to the archive without rings for the 20-time Grand Slam champion. The quarterfinals reached at Wimbledon had rekindled a hint of optimism, but the news of the third intervention on the same knee has disheartened even the most loyal fans of him.

The former world number 1 will use crutches for a large number of weeks and it is difficult to hypothesize his return before 2022. The hope is that the 40-year-old from Basel can at least indulge in a final runway at Wimbledon or perhaps the Laver Cup.

Interviewed from the Swiss newspaper 'Blick', Swiss Fed Cup captain Heinz Gunthardt explained how Federer had no other choice at this stage in his career. Despite not being fully match fit, Roger Federer registered a commendable victory over Dan Evans in his comeback match at the Qatar Open.

He also beat the likes of Marin Cilic and Dominik Koepfer at Roland Garros.

Gunthardt opens up on Roger Federer

"(Roger Federer opting for another surgery has nothing to do with) not being able to let go," Heinz Gunthardt said.

“It's only difficult when you have a choice to make. At the moment he sees no alternative because of his knee and accepts that. On day X, when he is training again and sees whether and how stony the way to a high level will be." Gunthardt, who serves as a commentator for SRF Sport, also expressed his desire to watch the Swiss legend in action again, albeit this time from the stands and not from the commentator's box.

"My hope is therefore great that I will see Roger play live again," Gunthardt said. "And as a tennis fan, in the stadium, without the glass of the TV cabin in between!" Earlier this year, the Swiss maestro suffered a shock defeat at Wimbledon to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.

This was after Federer had already withdrawn from Roland Garros, citing possible fatigue leading into Wimbledon. He acknowledges the delicate nature of his body at this stage of his career, and always puts his health first.

After being eliminated from SW19, the 20-time Grand Slam champion announced that his struggles with the knee have returned. Following a long and hard deliberation, Federer has decided to undergo surgery again.