Monday 11 July 2022 was a strange day. It was the day Federer became unranked, something he had not experienced since 1997.
Despite this setback, Federer has made his intentions clear – the Laver Cup and Swiss Indoors in the Autumn will see his return to the ATP Tour.
The question then becomes – how does Federer participate in tournaments if he does not hold a ranking?
There are multiple ways Federer could mount a comeback, but some options immediately become apparent.
Each has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. But only one resumes Federer’s career where we left off after that Wimbledon quarter-final match, back in 2021.
The first is that Federer attempts to build his ranking on the Challenger Tour and the middling levels of the ITF circuit. This would have to be a long-term approach.
If Federer chose this option, he would have the eventual goal of returning to the ATP Tour and helping to cement his ranking in the upper echelons of the top 100 once again.
This would effectively be a slow reset of his career and put it back on track to where it was. However, he could endure what could become a hard slog against up-and-coming younger players, who might be more able to physically deal with long and grinding matches, particularly on clay.
The second option, which I think will be the route to the Basel ATP 500, is a temporary reliance on wildcards, and the idea in the minds of tournament organisers, that Federer would bring a boost in enjoyment and ticket sales for any event.
In recent years, Andy Murray and Kim Clijsters have benefited from wildcards, helping to kick-start the accumulation of ranking points and competitive experience.
Murray benefited from wildcards during 2021, reaching the finals of the Biella Challenger, and heightened his ranking to a respectable fifty by 2022.
The Brit was also able to make a Grand Slam appearance at Wimbledon this year, showcasing his determination in a tough match against James Duckworth in the opening round.
Federer still has the chance to play tennis on the big stage and create more “Federesque” moments of joy. The downside is that wildcards can’t always be guaranteed, while the short notice of draw entry could muddle training schedules and preparation.
Another option is high-level exhibition tennis. This would mean events limited, or akin to, the Laver Cup and Match for Africa.
These would not be a route for Federer to build ranking points, though, given his schedule, he is looking for a blend of professional tournaments and exhibition tennis.
Events like the Laver Cup will inevitably keep Federer in good shape regarding match practice and movement. But exhibition tennis alone might be too small a scope for Federer. With great battles continuing on big stages such as Arthur Ashe and Philippe Chatrier, mentally, Federer could feel he has to keep active on the ATP Tour. Otherwise, exhibition tennis is just a passing fancy.
The last and most unlikely option is for Federer to join the doubles circuit or the Champions Tour. For the same reason that exhibition tennis alone would probably not yield enough satisfaction, I can’t see Federer playing on the Champions Tour.
If the need ever arose, it does provide Federer with the opportunity to reward his fans in the future with what would be a hotly anticipated event. Federer is somewhat over-qualified here, with entrants needing to have either held the number one ranking, appeared in a major final, or been a singles player in a victorious Davis Cup Team.
Though his preference is singles, the doubles would give Federer a big chance to win more grand slam titles. His volleying skills, in particular, would bear good results here. Nevertheless, he would need to rebuild his singles ranking first to qualify.
How do you think Federer will return to the tour? Will he be able to fulfil his desired schedule? Are there any other viable options? Leave your comments below.
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The equation for me is a simple one. Unless we see Federer on a practice court in the next week or so, he will not be playing again at any real level.
No real rehab updates, no training pictures. Even if wanted to be all coy about it, there would be at least one leaked picture of him on a court somewhere. Yet there are none. If he isn’t training, he won’t be playing.
Wonder what he does at the Laver Cup?
PLay a doubles match with Novak and play one doibles with Rafa.Basel last tournie.
If he hasn’t trained, how can he play Basel? If that is the case, there is no way he should be in the singles draw.
Hmmm…? He might go i doubles…? Would for sure lift the interest and sales for this very entertaining tennis-genre
Even though doubles is easier, it still requires a lot of explosive play, so he can’t just rock up in that format and play well against decent opposition.
I think he knows that. And in my guess of course he’s training, he’s not taking part in LC and Basel without?
Maybe but where are the training pictures?
Typically he trains on public courts in Switzerland, so there would be at least one photo by now. Yet there are none.
So either he’s not training, or is completely off grid on a private court that nobody outside himself or team can access.
I thought it’s still tennis blog, not a fantasy shop!!!??? If you feel obliged to find something, Federer could do today and tomorrow, let him play chess. The article is a big offense to Federer, suggesting, he has not only lost the physical ability to play professional tennis, but also lost his mind. I’m sure, he is not eager to end career like Serena is just doing.
What is Federer going to do at Laver Cup? He plays 5 or 10 minutes exhibition doubles Fedal vs. Djokorray. This would be at least an unique event in tennis. And people could at least see Federer with the racket in his hand once more. Doubles – yes – with Rod Laver against Serena + Billie Jean King. I’m sure, Fed has not lost sense of humor.
My thoughts are that the wild-card route is likely the best option for him, assuming he decides in the end to move forward…beyond just some farewell matches/appearances, which I don’t think is Roger. That said, also don’t think he’s the kind to just play to be playing…he’s too competitive. Also think he’s too realistic, which is what I can’t figure out. He may be much more in-shape, ready and competitive than many think…much more/better than Serena and most other pros were/are at his/their ages of 41. Do I think he CAN compete…? Yes…to a point. He may be able to win a smaller/lesser tournament or two on a given day and circumstances, but to compete/advance very far into the larger tournaments is doubtful. We’ll see…I wish him well/the best.
I think all this being able to compete is pie in the sky until he is pictured training at intensity.
So he’s either done the best job at keeping his game incognito, playing exclusively indoors on a locked court or a completely private one that nobody can get within 3 feet of. Or he’s not done that yet.
Basel “Masters”? Basel is an ATP 500, not a Masters Series event
Yes I thought I’d amended that but there were 2 mentions of it. got one, missed the other.
Guys Roger and his coach already said they are planning for the entire next tennis season. Thus there ist no need for these cheap (disrespectful) farewell speculations. Rog will try to return in the best possible shape a and try to be part of the regular competition. Of course 2 question remain: 1) When will he be exactly match-ready ? 2) Will the body hold and support our man during his “back in business journey” ?
The question is – when is he going to start serious practice?
How can he play Laver Cup with no court time?
I don’t think one can compare Serena and Roger. Serena is packing way too much weight around to be competitive. I saw Venus play the other day, she can still compete quite well but not at the level of before. Roger will not play just to play, he has said many times. He said he will try out the knee this year with LC and Basil and go from there. I can’t see him playing challenger events. Who is going to pay for the security that is a must everywhere he goes? He’s not going to play Wimbledon unless he thinks he has a chance. Wildcards would be the way to go. Roger equals ticket sales and TV viewers big time. Just like Tiger still today. Jonathan, it doesn’t make sense that he isn’t training with LC around the corner? Hurt his knee again? As much as I’d love to see him back on tour, I don’t think his body can do it.
Serena and Roger can be very well compared in many aspects. Both are too old for competition. Roger has a long injury/surgery history. Serena is mother. Serena is more (but for sure not less) of a GOAT among women than Roger among men. And doubles Federer/Laver vs. Serena/King would be nice entertainment and farewell message for both who tried too long.
Fed will be competitive right from the get go as he has been the last times (2017/2021). That’s the main difference to Dominic Thiem a guy that offers one embarassing performance after the other in 2022. Currently ranked at #232, this is exactly where he belongs after he wasn’t even able to beat Y.Hanfmann, currenttly #140 on home soil in Kitzbühel.
How can you be so sure of that when he hasn’t even been pictured practising yet? It is not a good sign. So he’s either done a masterful job of not letting any info get out, or he’s not practising.
Thiem is coming back from a wrist injury, how many players come back from wrist injuries and play well? Not many.
I know you are trolling, but Hanfmann is also decent, made the final in Kitzbuhel before, top 10 win on clay, just inconsistent. He would beat Federer on all four surfaces if they played tomorrow; that is the reality.
“I know you are trolling” Are you serious or is PRF using the Jonathan Avatar these days ? I am not trolling. But I do react quite offended when a die-hard Thiem fan is constantly messing with our man on a RF fan page. It’s as simple as that. I thought you were a bit smarter Jonathan.
@DrEvil Of course you was trolling. If you think, I’m messing with Federer, is up to you. I’m not a “die-hard” fan of nobody. And it’s you who used here the T**** word. When I’m writing about Federer, I’m doing this only because I’m his fan (but not “die-hard” – “die-hard” nas a negative association for me and I translate it to “never-thinking”). Hanfmann is additionally half-deaf, which (he says) doesn’t bother him in the game and may also neutralize the effect of loud fans’ support going for his opponent.
This debate is a bit entertaining. Please keep on…it says a lot about all taking part. Acc. guessing along – I agree mostly with Sue, that the Laver and Basel plans are to see and feel in knee and body if strength holds for bigger challenges. And if positive, then to go for wildcards, which I guess will be given in abundance.
Who would not want this to happen? WC are for sure no problem. Federer gets one for every tournament on Earth so long he wants to get them. Not only because it ensures good ticket sale, but simply because of Fed’s unique status. Only he is to decide, if he plays or not. WC’s are not limited. Should Federer want to come back to the top in the competition (can’t imagine him being happy with losing 1. or 2. rounds all the time), he would need 2-3 years, in the meantime getting Top50 guys in first rounds and Top10 guys in second round. This is the fate of players coming back after very long breaks. Show me one (especially with comparable age), who made a comeback with a bang, winning tournaments regularly from get&go. If Fed was not practicing so far, it’s impossible, he goes for Laver Cup and Basel to see where he is at. He knows this without hitting a single ball in competition. Can you imagine Federer following Murray’s route?
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Maybe but where are the training pictures? Typically he trai...
I think he knows that. And in my guess of course he's traini...
Retiring...??? WHO's retiring...? No one I know of besides t...
Who would not want this to happen? WC are for sure no proble...
@DrEvil Of course you was trolling. If you think, I'm messin...
Maybe but where are the training pictures? Typically he trai...
I think he knows that. And in my guess of course he's traini...
Retiring...??? WHO's retiring...? No one I know of besides t...
Who would not want this to happen? WC are for sure no proble...
@DrEvil Of course you was trolling. If you think, I'm messin...
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