Out there, on the ATP World Tour circuit, it is a tremendous struggle for most of the professional Tennis players. Despite the fact of having great ambitions once they put their foot for the first time on a tennis court, only a few can eventually brag about their achievements. Roger Federer is a unique character having an astonishing career behind him. His results over the last 15 years are one of a kind with those 17 Grand Slam singles titles weighing so much. But, none of this or at leat a significant part would`ve not been possible without a tremendous sense of discipline while playing and a unique fitness level.
Ageing process has no discriminatory aspect
Once a professional tennis player reached the 30 years of age milestone things are getting a bit complicated. Besides, the physical and mental frazzle are also becoming parts of the equation having a great impact when it comes achievements. In 2016, due to an apparently minor incident, Federer saw his whole plan for 2016 messed up. Despite a resurrection in Wimbledon, Roger saw his plans going down to the tubes.
The consequences of this outcome are that the Swiss finished outside the top 10 ATP for the first time since 2002. Moreover, after so many years, Roger Federer failed to win at least an ATP title during a season.
While some people think that his career is dust and gone, his huge herd of vivid fans are still eager to see him playing the way he used to, or at least somewhere closer to that standard.
Back in the summer, he spoiled his fans with a tremendous comeback against Marin Cilic in Wimbledon quarterfinals. For so many people, it was a lively display of vintage Federer.
Federer is not ready to quit
Given his age, a retirement announcement would seem natural, but Federer is not done yet as he is preparing for a comeback in early January.
The Hopman Cup will be the place where he will play for the first time an official match since Wimbledon. An event with no impact on the ATP circuit, this event is a great opportunity for a warm-up prior to the Australian Open. The 29th edition of the Hopman Cup will mark the first appearance of Federer here since 2002. This event has the upper hand of not being an ATP event, so the pressure and the harassment of the ranking points math will not be applied.
Ranked as world no. 16, Roger Federer will now step into a long time forgotten territory, but perhaps ranking is no more part of the goal.