In what has been the most anticipated comeback in tennis, Roger Federer returned to a professional tennis court on Saturday for his first practice session at the Qatar Open.
Federer last played at the 2020 Australian Open. He has missed more than 13 months on the tour due to two knee surgeries and could not recover in time for the Melbourne major this year.
Federer isn't forgetting to have fun in his comeback 😁@rogerfederer | @QatarTennis | #RogerReturns pic.twitter.com/wzzu1a1csq
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 7, 2021
The three-time Doha champion spent an hour practising on Court 1 at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex with the man he could meet in his comeback match: Daniel Evans.
Despite the cold and windy conditions, the pair were in good spirits ahead of the tournament, which will take place from 8-13 March.
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) March 5, 2021
If Federer is to add to his 26-3 record at the event, he may need to overcome Murray River Open champion Evans in the second round. The Brit will face Jeremy Chardy in a first-round clash for the right to play Federer.
Federer will compete in Doha for the first time since 2012 next week. The Swiss has travelled to the Middle East with his coaches Severin Luthi and Ivan Ljubicic, as well as his physio, Daniel Troxler.
