Tennis news: Roger Federer lacks support despite Swiss plans to play 2023 season | Tennis | sport

sports express readers are far from convinced that Roger Federer is capable of winning another Grand Slam, despite the Swiss legend’s provocative claim that he could yet return to the ATP Tour in 2023.

The 40-year-old has struggled with injury issues for a few years and hasn’t played a competitive match since losing to Hubert Hurkacz in the Wimbledon quarter-finals last July.

Nonetheless, he hopes to make a return to the Laver Cup and at a home tournament in his native Basel later this year, and recently insisted to the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper that he “definitely” has a season. 2023 complete in sight.

However, Federer’s hopes of adding to his 20 Grand Slam titles are in serious doubt according to readers of this publication. Just under 3,700 of you answered the question ‘Can Roger Federer win another Grand Slam before he retires’, with a whopping 77% (2,804) of respondents opting for ‘No “.

Only 23% (836) think Federer can perform a miracle and win at least one more major title before hanging up his racket. Discussing his future plans in more detail, Federer added: “I haven’t planned more than the Laver Cup and Basel yet. After Basel, the season is over anyway.

“It’s important for me to get back in shape so I can train fully. Once I’ve done that, I can choose how many tournaments I play and where. The Laver Cup is a good start, I don’t have I don’t need to play five matches in six days. I could have done it in Basel. But I’m hopeful, I’ve come a long way. I’m not far away…”

Meanwhile, he also praised longtime rival Rafael Nadal, who has won the Australian Open and French Open so far this year to edge out Federer and Novak Djokovic on total. of 22 Grand Slam tournaments throughout his career.

“In general, it’s just amazing what Rafa has achieved,” he continued. “Pete Sampras’ record, which I broke, was 14 Grand Slam titles.

“Now Rafa has won the French Open 14 times. It’s amazing. I was happy for him that he did it again. Hats off to Rafa. After the 10th, 11th time, I already thought, ‘That’s not possible.’ He keeps raising the bar. It’s gigantic.