Wimbledon 2022: Why isn't Roger Federer playing this year?

For the first time in 23 years, Wimbledon’s most successful male player, Roger Federer, will not be taking to the grass at the All England Club over the coming fortnight.

The eight-time champion, who turns 41 in August, has played the tournament every year since 1999 – winning it in five consecutive years between 2003 and 2007 – but will not participate this time around.

Sadly, Federer is still recovering after undergoing knee surgery last year, having required the operation shortly after Wimbledon 2021 when he was knocked out in the quarter-final in straight sets by Hubert Hurkacz.

It is the same knee problem that kept him out of the 2020 season following the Australian Open, prior to the coronavirus pandemic interrupting the calendar.

After suffering a setback in his recovery, Federer is now aiming to return to the court in late summer or early autumn, meaning he is also expected to miss the US Open which begins at the end of August.

For a while there had been fears that the 40-year-old’s persistent knee issue could bring an end to his glittering career, but he is upbeat about his chances of returning and has kept fans in the loop about his rehabilitation on social media.

In March he uploaded a short clip showing him hitting balls again, while he has posted a plethora of images and videos showing the training he is doing to strengthen his knee.

Asked by Swiss magazine Caminada about a possible return date, Federer said last month: ‘I can’t even think that far. I’m waiting for the doctors’ okay. I’m ready to give it my all again. I feel like a racehorse scratching its stall and wanting to race.

‘In the summer I hope to be able to hit the ground running. I’m looking forward to coming home in the evening after the tough day of training and being completely exhausted.’

On his training routine at the moment, he continued: ‘As with a car, you have to turn a thousand screws until the engine runs smoothly. Today, mobilisation, stretching, and a warm-up in the morning take about 45 minutes.

‘Then we drive to the plant. There follows a warm-up on the pitch, half an hour. After that I eat, stretch, strengthen my ankles with tapes, then warm up again, do gymnastics and explosive speed exercises. Before I finally play, I took care of my body for two and a half hours.’

With Federer missing the tournament and Russia’s top-ranked player Daniil Medvedev blocked from playing, defending champion Novak Djokovic is the favourite to win Wimbledon this year.

Rafael Nadal will also take part despite a lingering foot issue causing him chronic pain that he has repeatedly said could end his career, with this year’s tournament billed as a potential farewell for the Spaniard as well as Serena Williams, who is a surprise wildcard entry in the women’s draw.

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