In recent weeks, Roger Federer has announced a second knee operation that will keep him out until the end of the season. Practically a year missed almost entirely for the Swiss champion who will return to the circuit at 40 years of age.
If the season resumes (as has been announced), Federer risks not even being the seeded head of the Australian Open, an event that could complicate his draw and move back up the rankings. In a post on Twitter, the 38-year old Federer said that he is getting a procedure done on his right knee, and plans on taking as much time as he needs before returning to action, but expects to be back for the start of the 2021 season.
“I will be missing my fans and the tour dearly but I will look forward to seeing everyone back on tour at the start of the 2021 season,” he tweeted. Speaking to We Love Tennis, Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas feels that Roger Federer still retains the hunger even after being on the tour for 22 long years.
“We all know Roger Federer, he is still very mentally hungry. If he uses the time now to rest and then prepare optimally with his always performing team, we can count on him again in 2021” – Tommy Haas said.
“I’m sure he’s reaching his best again. He’s also won a Grand Slam tournament,” added Haas. Federer is also noted for his cool demeanour and emotional control on the court. In contrast to his early career, most of his professional game has been characterised by lack of outbursts or emotional frustration at errors, which gives him an advantage over less controlled opponents.
On 29 May 2020 Federer topped Forbes’ 2020 List of the World’s Highest Paid Athletes with $106.3 million in total earnings from salary, winnings and endorsements. Federer is every year on this list, inside the top-10 or top-5, but never on the top spot, before.
This year is the first time Roger Federer has ranked atop Forbes’s annual list. He surpassed sports legends like, 2.Cristiano Ronaldo (football – $105m), 3. Lionel Messi (football – $104m), 4. Neymar (football – $95.5m), 5.
LeBron James (basketball – $88.2m), 6. Stephen Curry (basketball – $74.4m), 7. Kevin Durant (basketball – $63.9m), 8. Tiger Woods (golf – $62.3m), 9. Kirk Cousins (american football – $60.5m), 10. Carson Wentz (american football – $59.1m), and many more great sports persons.
