Roger Federer has hinted at a possible return from a knee injury which had kept him out of the circuit for a year since losing to Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the previous Australian Open.
The 39-year-old has undergone surgery twice on the knee to extend his career and keep him in the sport.
The 20-time Grand Singles Champion assured that there will be no further surgery as he is already working on his stamina and strength without feeling any pain for a while.
“I’m on the right track,” he 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% fit. At the moment, it looks like I can make my comeback at the Australian Open in January.”
Federer’s coach, Severin Luthi, had previously stated in July, that he was looking at a return in Melbourne next year.
“Roger is fine. Very well, but that’s not surprising when you know his way of always seeing the positive side of things.
“He’s doing his physio. He started working again on the physical plane. The next step will be the resumption of racket training in hand in mid-August,” Luthi said.
Though, delighted at his near recovery, Federer insisted that he is yet to train more than two hours with the racquet.
“Not yet, more than two hours with the racquet are not possible at the moment,” Federer said.
