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The 40-year-old Federer, speaking on a video posted to his
Instagram account, said doctors told him that in order to feel
better for the medium- to long-term, he would need surgery on
the knee that he injured again during the grass court season.
"I'll be on crutches for many weeks and then also out of the
game for many months," Federer said.
"It's going to be difficult of course in some ways but at the
same time I know it's the right thing to do because I want to be
healthy and I want to be running around later as well."
Federer, who shares the men's record of 20 Grand Slam titles
with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, had knee surgery twice in
2020 which resulted in more than a year of rehabilitation before
a return to action in March, some 13 months after his Australian
Open semi-final exit last year.
He withdrew from the French Open in June after winning his
third-round match to save himself for the grass court season and
a bid to win a record-extending ninth Wimbledon title.
Federer reached the quarter-finals at the All England club but
lost in straight sets to Poland's Hubert Hurkacz, failing to win
a game in the third set.
Federer then withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics as well as a
number of lead-up events to the Aug. 30-Sept. 12 U.S. Open.
"I want to give myself a glimmer of hope also to return to the
tour in some shape or form," said Federer.
"I am realistic, don't get me wrong, I know how difficult it is
at this age right now to do another surgery and try it, but
look, I want to be healthy and I'll go through the rehab process
I think also with the goal while I am still active which I think
is going to help me during this long period of time."
Towards the end of his 97-second video, Federer thanked his fans
for their support.
"You guys are always incredible, you always think of me,"
Federer said. "Some of you suffer with me, some of you just wish
me the best and want to see me back on court or see me smile. I
am doing OK so I appreciate that.
"And I'll update you as I move along with my rehab. I wish you
all the best and I'll check in with you soon."
Russian Daniil Medvedev, speaking to reporters after winning the
Masters 1000 event in Toronto, said the absence of Federer on
tour is a pity for everyone and wished him a speedy recovery.
"I mean, age takes over. Hopefully we can still see him back on
tour, because I think that's what he wants. That's what
everybody wants," said Medvedev.
"Of course, even if he's going to be back on tour, we're gonna
try to beat him every time we play him, because even if it's
Roger, I know we are still competitors on the court.
"The only thing I can wish him right now ... is health, speedy
recovery, and seeing him back on tour, yeah, because we never
know what's gonna happen next."
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Ed Osmond and
Kenneth Maxwell)
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