Roger Federer has revealed how the last few years have taken a heavy toll on wife Mirka, saying she didn’t enjoy watching him play any more due to his injuries.
The 20-time grand slam champion will bid farewell to tennis at the Laver Cup this weekend, drawing the curtain on his illustrious 24-year career.
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The 41-year-old hasn’t played since a loss in the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2021, undergoing a third surgery on his right knee in the aftermath.
After 14 months on the sidelines, Federer will make his long-awaited return at the Laver Cup in London on Friday where he will play one final doubles match to finish his career.
Speaking to Swiss media on Tuesday, Federer said his knee isn’t up to playing singles anymore – part of the reason why he was forced to announce his retirement prematurely despite being scheduled to play at the Swiss Indoors in Basel next month.
He also opened up about how the last few years have affected his wife and children, revealing that Mirka found it hard to watch him play when he attempted a comeback in 2021.
“The last few years were hard for me, but I think they were even harder for her,” Federer admitted.
“She really didn’t enjoy watching me anymore, with all the injuries. I felt kind of sorry for her.”
Mirka Federer, pictured here watching her husband at the Australian Open in 2020.
Mirka Federer watches her husband at the Australian Open in 2020. (Photo by James D. Morgan/Getty Images)
Federer’s loss at Wimbledon last July came just a few months after he returned to the court following his second surgery.
He lost the third set 6-0 against Hubert Hurkacz – the only time in his storied career that he has been ‘bagelled’ at a grand slam.
“It was tough, the whole comeback was extremely difficult,” Federer said on Tuesday.
“I was so far from 100 percent. Reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon was unbelievable for me.
“The last set against Hurkacz was one of the worst hours of my career.”