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Roger Federer plays padel in Dubai

By TieBreakNewsPosted on
Time to Read:-words

While his former rivals are preparing for the season’s first Major at the Australian Open, Roger Federer is spending a lovely weekend in Dubai. The Swiss star played padel on Friday, not pushing too hard because of his troubled knee but still enjoying on the court. Roger retired at the Laver Cup in September last year, struggling with a knee injury for almost three years and ending his incredible career. Roger wrapped up the 2019 season ranked 3rd behind his closest rivals, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Despite turning 38 in August, Federer played at a high level that year and conquered his 28th and last Masters 1000 crown in Miami.

Also, the Swiss had two match points on his serve in that epic Wimbledon final against Novak. He squandered them and dropped the deciding tie break at 12-12 to miss the ninth Wimbledon trophy. 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 underwent another in May, ending 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 2021 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 played padel in Dubai.

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 after 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 with no results. The Swiss struggled to train injury-free and decided to retire at the Laver Cup last September. A 20-time Major winner gathered his most formidable rivals and friends and presented 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.