Federer Set For Laver Cup, Possibly Wimbledon In 2023

Roger Federer is targeting the Laver Cup in late September as his return to the ATP Tour and has ambitions to play Wimbledon in 2023. Tony Godsick, Federer’s longtime agent, revealed the comeback plan in an interview this week with the London Evening Standard.

“He’s exactly where he wants to be but unfortunately it takes time,” Godsick said. “He’s going to play Laver Cup and Swiss Indoors… I don’t want to be the doctor but what I hope for him is to able to have a great rehab this summer, play some in the fall and give a nice shot at 2023, and then see what happens…

“Could he add a tournament before then? Maybe yes, but more likely after that. He doesn’t want to commit to anything too soon before having to pull out… But the Laver Cup is enough time that, if all goes well with rehab events, he can get back for.”

The Laver Cup will be played 23-25 September at The O2 in London. (Get tickets)

Federer, 40, has not played since a quarter-final loss to Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon last year. A winner of 103 tour-level titles, Federer first stepped off tour in February 2020. In his only appearance of that season, the Swiss reached the Australian Open semi-finals before undergoing two surgeries on his right knee.

After more than a year away from the game the 28-time ATP Masters 1000 champion played two matches in Dubai in March 2021, and one match in Geneva in May leading into Roland Garros, where he withdrew before a fourth-round match against Matteo Berrettini. Federer then reached the second round in Halle, where he has won the title 10 times, before a quarter-final run at Wimbledon, after which he underwent a third procedure on his knee.

“He won’t rush back this time. He will have to be 100 per cent and know he’s 100 per cent and that’s why he’s taking his time doing heavy rehab and training,” Godsick said. “It’s not just when the knee feels good but building up the muscles and getting lungs back. I know he’s encouraged where he is.”

An eight-time champion at the All England Club, Federer will miss this year’s Championships but Godsick said the 20-time Grand Slam champion would like to make at least one more appearance on the hallowed lawns.

“It was a great effort last year on one leg,” Godsick said. “I think he’d like another Wimbledon. That place has been incredibly special to him.”