Roger Federer has teased a potential return to tennis and admitted he misses playing every day since retiring nearly three years ago. The Swiss legend had a fairytale goodbye alongside Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray at his Laver Cup event, but could yet make a comeback in exhibitions.
Federer has made sparse appearances at events on the tennis calendar, most notably at Wimbledon last year, and laid very few hints about wanting to play on a court once again. But having played “so much” golf in retirement, Federer is ready to return to his first sporting love.
“Honestly, I’d love to play some more tennis again,” Federer told TNT Sports. “Enough with the golf, I’ve played so much. So seriously, I would love to start playing two or three times a week and hopefully get myself back on the exhibition court and fill up a few nice [stadiums] around the world. I have no plans yet.
“The training part, I miss it a little bit. I haven’t played a whole lot since I retired because my body and mind needed a break. I have with my kids, but I would love to go and practice as I travel and hopefully you will see me play an exhibition soon.”
With Federer’s long-time rival Nadal also retiring last year, pulses will have been racing at the prospect of the duo competing against – or with – one another.
Federer has never hidden his love of Wimbledon and he may question where better than the hallowed SW19 turf to mark his first appearance back on a tennis court.
The invitational doubles has long been an event used by the All England Club to bring back some of the game’s favourite former players.
Last year, Ash Barty made a surprise return and played alongside old partner Casey Dellacqua. This was her first match at Wimbledon since lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish in 2021, retiring the following year at the age of 25.
She thoroughly enjoyed her time competing in the invitational doubles and even asked Murray to be her mixed partner for a future event. Barty told Express Sport: “I would have loved to play mixed doubles with Andy, but singles were my focus and I had already entered ladies doubles as well.
“I’m not sure my body would have coped with mixed doubles too. Maybe Andy will play in the invitational with me here next year?!”
What a treat the Wimbledon patrons would be in for if Murray, Barty and Federer all returned to action at this summer’s Slam.