Paris (AFP)

"Of course I miss Wimbledon," said Roger Federer, as the London Grand Slam, canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is expected to be in full swing when the first sneaker in his name launches. Monday.

Twice operated on his right knee during the first half of 2020, the Swiss with twenty record Grand Slam trophies, who will celebrate his 39th birthday in a month, has already announced that he will not return to the circuit - including the season is set to restart in August after five months of forced shutdown - than in 2021.

"It’s been a really special year so far, my last game was in South Africa with Rafa (Nadal, in Cape Town in February, editor's note) for the foundation. I played the Australian Open, and since I had two operations, crutches during rehabilitation, there is no Wimbledon (initially scheduled from June 29 to July 12, editor's note), no Olympics, and there was coronavirus, containment , the travel ban is a lot, "said Roger Federer, during a videoconference intended to present the" Roger Center Court ", basketball created by the Swiss brand On, specialist in running and trail shoes, with which he joined in late 2019.

"Personally, it was very pleasant to stay in the same place for a long time, I hadn't known that for more than twenty-five years, but of course I miss Wimbledon, of course I would like to be there At the moment, playing on the Center Court for a place in the second week, he recognized.

"Clearly, one of my big goals, and that's why I do re-education every day and work so hard, and prepare to do a 20-week physical preparation block this year, c "I hope to replay at Wimbledon next year," said Roger Federer.

"Wimbledon gave me everything, and it is also the day to look back seventeen years, when it all started for me", precisely on July 6, 2003, the date of the first of his eight coronations on British lawn , he recalled.

© 2020 AFP