The Swiss is entering territory once occupied by Muhammad Ali – but does he have another Lazarus moment in him?
When
Roger Federer withdrew from the rest of this shredded
Tennis season on Wednesday after a second, if apparently minor, operation on his right knee he spread despondency among millions of fans and raised hopes for his career rivals
Rafael Nadal and
Novak Djokovic.
Nadal, 34 a week ago, has rested his own physical aches during the pandemic break and needs one major title to draw alongside Federer’s all-time record of 20. He should add to his 12
French Open titles if, as expected, he is fit and that tournament goes ahead in September or early October.