DOHA (Qatar): Roger Federer said he was “pumped up” to return to tennis at the Qatar Open in Doha next week.
The former world No.1, 2005-06 and 2011 Doha champion, was sidelined for over a year to recover from two knee surgeries.
The 39-year-old hasn’t played a match since a semifinal defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in January 2020.
“I’d like to thank all the people involved who made this possible,” Federer said in a video message. “It’s been a long and hard road, I’m not at the finish line yet but I feel I am in a good place.”
Federer, who will slip out of the top five next week, will see Djokovic surpass his record of 310 weeks in the world No.1 ranking.
“I’ve been practising very well and feel just really pumped up. I am in a good place and progressing really well,” said the 20-time Grand Slam title winner.
After Doha, Federer could play again in Dubai but will not travel to the United States for the Miami Masters.
Federer also hinted at playing on the European clay court this year ahead of Roland Garros.
