Ivan Ljubicic: "Roger Federer had a back injury before the Australian Open 2017"

• Tennis News
• Roger Federer

Ivan Ljubicic recalled the experience of him alongside Roger Federer. The highlight of their collaboration was undoubtedly the triumph at the Australian Open 2017. After six months of hiatus, Roger had turned up in Melbourne without great expectations.

Ivan told: "No coach can assure you that, after a long hiatus, the results will come. Before the 2017 Australian Open, Roger Federer suffered a back injury during the Hopman Cup. I don't think this information was known." Roger's level has risen exponentially with the passing of the rounds: "Federer's confidence increased as the days went by and we realized that it would be very difficult to beat him.

Before the tournament started, we didn't have high expectations and we lived for the day. Once we reached the quarter-finals, we started thinking that he could win the tournament." Ivan returned to the Swiss Maestro's decision to retire: "It was not easy to accept that it was over.

In 2021 it was never 100%, there was always something wrong. For him to continue meant winning tournaments, not a few games."

Roger Federer has left tennis

Roger Federer said goodbye to tennis played last month at the Laver Cup.

The Swiss star, absent for over a year, played his last match alongside his long-time rival Rafael Nadal against Americans Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock. All the fans were hoping that the King would be able to treat himself to one last ride of the carousel in 2023, but Roger's knee has sent clear signals in recent months.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion has realized that he can no longer compete at the highest levels and the resonance he underwent last July confirmed his fears. The 41-year-old from Basel had already tried a timid comeback in 2021, playing just 13 matches and stopping again after Wimbledon. The Swiss should join next season Wimbledon with a new role, as we told you in our previous article.