Former World No. 1 Roger Federer could not have retired final 12 months and would have nonetheless been within the prime 5 gamers on this planet if it wasn’t for his knee harm, stated the 20-time Major winner’s coach Ivan Ljubicic on Thursday.
In an interview with tennismajors.com, Ljubicic stated, “I think that (injury) was the only way for him to stop, honestly. I don’t think there was any other way. His ability would not go down. His fitness would maybe, with time, he would be slightly slower, slightly this, slightly that, but his genius would still keep him in the top, whatever, five.
“I honestly think that the only way for him to stop was the body was not able to carry on. Looking back, because he loves it so much, there was no way for him to make a decision to stop playing because, I don’t know,: ‘I don’t want to play anymore’. That would never happen.”
Following struggles with knee accidents, the 41-year-old Federer retired from skilled tennis final 12 months on the Laver Cup in London after enjoying one closing doubles match, partnering Rafael Nadal, one in every of his greatest rivals in a profession that lasted somewhat over twenty years.
Former World No. 3 Ljubicic joined Severin Luthi on Federer’s teaching crew in 2016. A 12 months later, the Swiss participant gained the Australian Open, his first Major since Wimbledon 2012. Federer clinched his closing Major by efficiently defending the title in Melbourne in 2018.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com