Has Roger Federer won his last Grand Slam title? Five-time US Open champion's potential comeback assessed

Graham Ruthven

•
Has Roger Federer won his last Grand Slam title? Five-time US Open champion's potential comeback assessed image

While Serena Williams says farewell at the US Open this month, another tennis great will still be missing at the Grand Slam. Indeed, Roger Federer will have to watch from home as he continues his recovery from knee surgery.

Federer hasn’t taken to a tennis court since undergoing surgery last year and, while some speculated he could return to play the at Flushing Meadows, he opted to delay any potential comeback.

Of course, Federer’s place as a modern great is already secure, but many question whether the 41-year-old will be able to compete at the highest level again. To return from serious knee surgery is difficult for most players. To do it in his fifth decade could be close to impossible.

MORE: Who has won the most Wimbledon titles? 

What is Roger Federer's injury history?

There is, however, precedent for such a remarkable return. Federer has proved his doubters wrong several times before, most notably in 2017 when he returned from injury to sensationally win the Australian Open as the world number 17, becoming the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title since Ken Rosewall in 1972.

That year saw Federer enjoy a career renaissance as he won his most titles in a season since 2007 and achieved his highest win percentage since 2006. The Swiss skipped the clay-court schedule to remain fresh for Wimbledon where he won a record eighth title without dropping a set.

As if this wasn’t impressive enough, Federer retained his Australian Open men’s singles title in 2018, claiming a record 20th Grand Slam title and soon returned to the number one ranking spot, making him the oldest male player to hold this distinction in the Open era by three years.

Federer also underwent knee surgery in 2016 to repair a torn meniscus, with his withdrawal from the French Open that year breaking a record run of 65 consecutive participations in Grand Slam events. The Swiss also had a difficult year due to injury in 2013, when he lost in the second round of Wimbledon to Sergiy Stakhovsky.

Federer is now set to return to tennis with an appearance at the Rod Laver Cup at the end of September 2022.

How many Grand Slams has Roger Federer won?

Federer’s record at the four Grand Slam events is bettered only by Rafael Nadal, although he was the first male player in the Open era to win 20 major titles by triumphing at Wimbledon in 2017.

Wimbledon has brought the best out of Federer over the course of his career. He has won more men’s singles titles at SW19 (eight) than any other player in the tournament’s history. Centre Court was also the scene of his maiden major triumph in 2003 and where he claimed a torch-passing victory over Pete Sampras in 2002.

Federer has also won the Australian Open men’s singles title six times, most recently in 2018, and has been a champion at the US Open five times for good measure - although the Swiss hasn’t won the men’s singles at Flushing Meadows since 2008.

Nadal’s dominance of Roland Garros means Federer’s French Open record isn’t as impressive, but he still managed to win the men’s singles there in 2009, completing a career Grand Slam.

What was Roger Federer's form before his knee injury?

After undergoing knee surgery in 2020, Federer endured a difficult 2021 as he looked for form and fitness. The Australian Open came too early in the year for the Swiss, but he returned to play the French Open where he progressed through to the fourth round. However, knee trouble forced him to withdraw.

MORE: Roger Federer net worth: Career earnings, prize money for five-time US Open champion

Federer was in better shape at Wimbledon, becoming the oldest player to reach the quarter-finals of The Championships in the Open era. However, he was beaten in straight sets by Hubert Hurkacz in the final eight. It was after this defeat that Federer announced he would be going under the knife once more.

Rafael Nadal’s incredible recovery from injury

Federer certainly isn’t the only member of the ‘Big Four’ to have suffered injury troubles. Andy Murray has had major hip surgery and still hasn’t been able to return to the top of men’s tennis, but Nadal’s case offers his old adversary some encouragement.

In 2021, he ended his season early due to a foot injury with some sceptical that he would be fit enough to play the Australian Open at the start of this year.

However, not only was Nadal able to play in Melbourne, he went all the way in the men’s singles to become the first player to win 21 Grand Slam titles. He followed this up with a 22nd at the French Open.

Graham Ruthven