Roger Federer took to social media on Tuesday to challenge his fans to a volley challenge. The 38-year-old Swiss has been exploring new ways to embrace #tennisathome, and he found a fun method at the wall where he’d previously put on a trick-shot show on ice. Federer announced on Twitter on Wednesday that while recovering from the arthroscopic knee surgery he had in February in Switzerland, which, sans coronavirus outbreak, would have caused him to.
PARIS -- Roger Federer announced Sunday he will play at the French Open, and the Swiss star is preparing for it on home clay at a tournament in Geneva next month.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion revealed his plans on his official Twitter page.
'Happy to let you know that I will play Geneva and Paris. Until then I will use the time to train. Can't wait to play in Switzerland again,' Federer wrote.
Federer will aim for his 104th career title at the Geneva Open, which takes place May 16-22 -- shortly before Roland Garros begins in Paris on May 30. The 39-year-old Federer won his only French Open in 2009 and lost to 13-time champion Rafael Nadal in the semifinals two years ago.
He did not play there last year.
Federer had a repeat operation on his right knee after a first procedure in February 2020. When that bothersome knee kept swelling up after bike rides or walks with his four children, he announced in June that he had had a second surgery.
The seventh-ranked Federer made his comeback from a 13-month injury layoff at the Qatar Open last month, beating Daniel Evans in three sets and then losing in three to Nikoloz Basilashvili after failing to convert a match point.
Federer is also trying to win Wimbledon for a record-extending ninth time, having lost to Novak Djokovic in a fifth-set tiebreaker two years ago. Federer served for the match and had two championship points.
The grass-court major was canceled last year for the first time since 1945 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It is scheduled to be played June 28 to July 11.
The Swiss maestro encouraged his followers to repeatedly hit a ball up and down a wall from centimetres away to ensure their racquet-work is precise when they hit the court ag..
The Swiss maestro encouraged his followers to repeatedly hit a ball up and down a wall from centimetres away to ensure their racquet-work is precise when they hit the court again.
Roger Federer was in fine form today.Source:Getty Images
Winning is a force of habit for Roger Federer, be it on the court or behind the keyboard.
The tennis legend has already started a viral craze during the coronavirus quarantine with a simple video of himself wearing a fedora hitting a ball up and down a wall, and he was back on the social media bandwagon again this morning, much to the delight of his followers.
The Fed Express unleashed a wave of replies after encouraging his legion of fans to throw out suggestions about which retired player people would most like to bring back to tennis.
Unfortunately for 38-year-old American Mardy Fish, who retired in 2015, he wasn’t high on Federer’s list.
Yep it’s me. Cause I let you win so often. Ur welcome buddy
— Mardy Fish (@MardyFish) April 16, 2020For every suggestion that caught his eye, Federer had a one-liner at the ready. Whether he was lauding “Pistol” Pete Sampras, paying tribute to wild child John McEnroe or revealing it was a “pain” to play Lleyton Hewitt, the 20-time grand slam champion was enjoying his trip down memory lane.
RELATED: Federer channels Bradman, sparks viral craze
1 of them is definitely the pistol baby https://t.co/3k1YxR0Oug
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 16, 2020You cannot be serious!?!?!
Yes Mac yes for sure 😉 https://t.co/L39vuQYHkYpic.twitter.com/TJyi16sMcB
Rusty!! no kidding,
What a pain to play 😂 https://t.co/m29Cr1tD5U
Federer loved the idea of welcoming American great Andy Roddick back into the fold and only had nice things to say about “volley master”, Brit Tim Henman.
“Last time he missed a volley, apparently was in 1986!!!!!” Federer joked on Twitter.
Federer sarcastically weighed up whether Australian tennis royalty Rod Laver made the cut, and he was happy to give the green light to another star from Down Under Ken “Muscles” Rosewall.
He called Billie Jean King an “absolute trailblazer” and said “love the guy” in reply to a tweet nominating Australia’s Pat Rafter.
There was no way Federer was forgetting Chris Evert but rejected the notion of accepting his Croatian coach Ivan Ljubicic. “No thanks, he beat me in Basel and Gstaad,” Federer wrote with a sad face emoji.
Roger Federer Twitter Account
True love wasn’t going to sway Federer’s judgment either. The Swiss maestro didn’t exactly give a ringing endorsement when it was suggested his wife Mirka would be the ideal candidate to return, setting up a doubles reunion.
Rather than an enthusiastic yes, Federer responded with a shifty-looking gif. Maybe he’s worried couples that play together don’t stay together.
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 16, 2020
I would not for a second, https://t.co/l6NJqVdErcpic.twitter.com/xYZvLxrNcx
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 16, 2020Not sure 🤔
Ok fine 🤣@rodlaverhttps://t.co/azt5lfpHFo
Muscles 💪
What a man https://t.co/FLKGhs7KzW
Federer also praised Michael Chang and reflected on “childhood idol” Boris Becker before engaging in some byplay with former Spanish star and Rafael Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya.
Roger Federer Twitter
Was it 7? 😁
Who cares now anyways… 😅
Best to you and your family,
see you soon Carlito https://t.co/Aob3BOqD43
No doubt! https://t.co/vXDgnphdznpic.twitter.com/UE7V3ec1LB
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 16, 2020Roger Federer Injury
One of my childhood idols! https://t.co/cSn0XKfYKYpic.twitter.com/ZhP2GisjHf
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 16, 2020New York Times tennis writer Christopher Clarey tweeted: “If you're not one of the 12.7 million already in the know, this is a good day to take a look at @rogerfederer 's twitter.” Download samsung emulator for pcwesternagents.
Tennis commentator Jose Morgado added: “Federer is slaying on Twitter today.”