Paris (AFP)

At the time of his eagerly awaited return after thirteen months without competition, Wednesday in Doha, questions surround Roger Federer's knee.

One thing is certain: the Swiss keep his passion for tennis firmly in place, even for almost forty years.

Federer, who will celebrate them on August 8, will take his first test Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. against Briton Daniel Evans (28th), precisely his training partner for the last two weeks in Dubai.

"There are question marks everywhere, that's normal", summarizes the Swiss with twenty Grand Slam trophies - like Rafael Nadal now - him whose last match dates back to January 30, 2020 (semi-final of the l 'Australian Open against Djokovic).

"For me, playing tennis is like riding a bike, I know how to do it, that doesn't worry me, he explains. My only concern is the knee."

"A double operation (two arthroscopies in February and May 2020, editor's note), it's a challenge, I had never experienced this before. After the second, I started from zero", he underlines.

Beyond the starting point in Doha this week, "the next three to five months will tell me a lot", fixed as horizon Federer.

"Like when I came back in 2017, how my knee will withstand transatlantic flights, time zone changes, how it holds up in winning three-set matches, playing four days in a row, or very intense three-sets against to the best? he lists. All these questions, I need to answer them. "

- "Not broken" -

In 2017, after a first arthroscopy on his left knee in February 2016 and six months off between July 2016 and January, Federer had signed a breathtaking return by triumphing at the Australian Open upon his return, then at Wimbledon six months later. .

This time, the cut was twice as long, and the player, even out of the ordinary, is four years older.

What then to expect from this second comeback?

And what ambitions can Federer still harbor, who "hopes to reach Wimbledon 100%"?

“When I wake up in the morning I don't feel broke, it's very positive. I can play for two and a half hours five days in a row, something I didn't expect to do at this point, is he congratulates. But matches are another story. Maybe I'll surprise myself. "

"When you come back from an injury, the biggest challenge is to have 100% confidence in your body's capabilities again", emphasizes the Balois.

"The main question will revolve around his speed of movement," said former Swedish champion Mats Wilander in L'Equipe.

One thing is certain: the passion for tennis is still so fiery at Federer.

When asked about what prompts him to embark on such a comeback at the dawn of his forties, the Swiss simply claims that he "likes to play tennis, to be on the circuit".

- "Thrill" -

“For someone like me who has played more than 1,500 matches, a break is always welcome. I enjoyed spending time at home after twenty years on the tour, but I missed my second family,” admits. It. All that will be put to the test with life in a bubble, quarantines, masks, more complicated trips ... ", he explains.

“One of the other reasons is probably that I would like to find that thrill of playing against the best, of playing the biggest tournaments, of winning if possible. To be in the game, adds Federer. hopes to play long enough to see full stadiums again. "

"It just goes to show how much he loves this game and that he believes he can still achieve great things," said Evans.

"I've never met someone who loves tennis as much as he does," Wilander confirms.

Even away from the circuit for more than a year, Federer admits to having kept more than one eye on it.

"I followed very closely actually. I watched a lot of + highlights +, I watched the results several times a day, ATP tournaments, Challengers, Futures. Even doubles," he says.

"I love this sport, I can't pretend it isn't, smiles the eight-time Wimbledon winner. If I tried, it would be + fake +, it wouldn't be me!"

© 2021 AFP