What does Roger Federer’s knee surgery mean for his tennis career?

Roger Federer’s difficult comeback gets another setback as the tennis legend plans to be out ‘for months,’ perhaps never to return to the game again.

This could be the end.

And Roger Federer knows it.

And so do tennis fans. And sport, in general, since Federer represents so much more than just the game. The loss of Roger Federer will leave a gaping hole in sportsmanship, love of the game, and the aura of what makes tennis fascinating.

Federer announced on Instagram that he will be undergoing a third knee surgery this year, taking him out of the U.S. Open and other tournaments for the next few months.

Federer had earlier pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics and U.S. warm-up events such as the Rogers Cup and the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati, after his troubling loss in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, where he was bageled in the last set against Hubert Hurcaz. The signs of knee trouble were there, but his decision to opt for another operation offers him his best chance to return to the game (hopefully) later this year.

Roger Federer age

Having turned 40 just last week, he is also cautious about his prospects, a “glimmer of hope,” he admitted in his message. The sports icon also thanked fans for all their support, which he said meant a lot to him and promised to keep posting about the rehab process, which will include him getting around on crutches for week.

https://twitter.com/insidetennis99/status/1426995054904811522

Federer sits with 20 Grand Slam singles titles, in a three-way tie with the Big 3 Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Nadal is also out nursing a hurt foot while Djokovic has withdrawn from several events after his disappointing medal-less result from the Tokyo Games. The ATP Tour is now getting a look at what the game looks like with the three biggest names in the sport absent.

Roger Federer knee surgery

What does this mean for the U.S. Open coming up in just a few weeks? Djokovic is the reigning champion at all three slams so far this year and if he collects a 21st slam, he will not only pull ahead of the other two titans in the sport, he will be one of the few tennis players to achieve the Calendar Slam. Pulling out of Flushing Meadows is probably no small loss for Federer, who hasn’t won there since 2008, although he won five in a row up until that point. Although not being able to participate in the hugely popular Laver Cup will be a huge disappoint to tennis fans.

In all likelihood the eight-time Wimbledon champ will be preparing for a farewell at the All England Club, perhaps in 2022, his most successful slam tournament and where he won his first beloved major title (2003).

Federer’s been on the circuit for 20 years and he’s of course been written off before, several times in fact. We’ve also become accustomed to The Maestro defying the odds and defining several enthralling comebacks on his own terms. Who can forget the magical final between him and Nadal at the 2017 Australian Open? Both gentleman have inspired countless generations of tennis fans with their sportsmanship, athleticism, and expansion of the popularity of the sport.

After Federer’s announcement came in, Paul Annacone, who once coached the Swiss player, noted talked about Federer’s great optimism while commentating on the Tennis Channel. Seemingly limitless, it seems that Federer’s ageless body is catching up with him. Perhaps his great positive spirit will fuel another miraculous recovery.

It’s what fans will be holding out for. Despite undergoing two knee surgeries already this year, the 20-time slam champion still managed to make the fourth round and quarters at two slams this year: at the French Open—his least successful slam—and Wimbledon.

There’s so much Roger Federer has done to elevate the sport of tennis. Let’s hope there’s more gas left in the tank, so we have a chance to witness the greatest mover tennis has ever seen.