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Roger Federer expects Australian Open return after double knee surgery

"I'm gradually coming back but I'm going to take my time and don't want to put any pressure on myself. I will only take part in a tournament when I am 100 per cent fit"

Roger Federer at the ATP Finals
Image: Roger Federer has undergone two knee operations in 2020

Roger Federer is practising pain-free after undergoing two knee surgeries this year and expects to return to action at the Australian Open in January.

The 39-year-old Swiss reached the semi-finals at Melbourne Park at the start of the year but missed the rest of the season after undergoing a second arthroscopic procedure on his right knee.

"I'm on the right track," the 20-times Grand Slam singles champion told German-language magazine Schweizer Illustrierte.

"I'm gradually coming back but I'm going to take my time and don't want to put any pressure on myself. I will only take part in a tournament when I am 100 per cent fit.

"At the moment, it looks like I can make my comeback at the Australian Open in January."

Switzerland's Roger Federer serves against Serbia's Novak Djokovic during their men's singles semi-final match on day eleven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 30, 2020.

While he has made significant progress in his recovery, Federer says he is still not at the point where he can train as normal.

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"Not yet, more than two hours with the racket are not possible at the moment," said Federer, who is currently ranked fourth in the world and saw Rafa Nadal equal his Grand Slam haul with a 13th French Open title this month.

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"But I've been working on my stamina and strength absolutely without pain for a while. There will be no further operations."

Switzerland's Roger Federer plays a return to Spain's Rafael Nadal during their tennis match at The Match in Africa at the Cape Town Stadium, in Cape Town on February 7, 2020.

Federer is often asked about his retirement plans but the Swiss said he would keep playing as long as he was enjoying it.

"I have been thinking about ideas for about five years," he added. "But as long as I am having fun and it's right for all of us, I'll keep going."

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