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DOHA, QATAR – MARCH 10: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates winning his match against Dan Evans of Great Britain on Day 3 of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on March 10, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mohamed Farag/Getty Images)
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DOHA, QATAR – MARCH 10: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates winning his match against Dan Evans of Great Britain on Day 3 of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on March 10, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mohamed Farag/Getty Images)
Roger Federer stepped out of the circuit to seek a permanent remedy for his knee injury. The 20-time Grand Slam champion underwent surgery after failing to enter the final four of Wimbledon last year. He hasn’t taken part in any tournament since then.
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However, Federer still has determination despite many considering him to be past his best at this point in his magnificent career. Though no one can deny the fact that the 40-year-old doesn’t have decades left to play on the tour. Therefore, now the Swiss fans are building hopes from the youngster Dominic Stricker to represent the nation in a similar fashion as Federer. Recently, Stricker got a chance to practice with the legend, and here’s what he had to say about the same.
What’s it like to play with Roger Federer?
Stricker, after sweating it out on the court with Federer, shared his experience. He said, “The practice with Roger, I think that was something special. I enjoyed every single hour I had with him on the court.”
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2019 US Open Tennis Tournament- Day Nine. Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts during his match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in the Men’s Singles Quarter-Finals match on Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2019 US Open Tennis Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 3rd, 2019 in Flushing, Queens, New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Thereafter, he added, “I am really happy that I had this time to take the chance to play with him.” The 19-year-old is currently enjoying the career highest ranking of World no. 126.
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Last week after taking down all his opponents in straight sets, he locked horns with the former top 10 player Ernests Gulbis in the finals of Zug Challenger and claimed the title despite losing the first set.
Federer’s comeback?
The Swiss tennis ace is gearing up to make an official comeback to the tour in front of his home fans. After incurring a defeat against the former World No.9 Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals of the Wimbledon Championships 2021, this will be his first chance to prove his prowess.
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Watch this story: Complete timeline of Roger Federer and Mirka Federer’s love story
Federer will play as the defending champion and will eye his 11th title in the Swiss Indoors Basel. The tournament itself is making a comeback after being called off in 2021 and 2022 because of the pandemic. Further, the former world no.1 will play without ATP ranking for the first time in 25 years.
