Roger Federer plans to return for Qatar ExxonMobil Open in March

Tennis living legend and all-time great Roger Federer hasn't competed since last year's Australian Open and will miss this year's first Grand Slam as he continues to recover from the multiple knee operations he underwent in 2020. 

The 39-year-old is now reportedly targeting a return date. 

As noted by Tennis.com and the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Federer told Swiss radio station SRF Sport on Tuesday that he is looking to start his season at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, Qatar. That tournament runs from March 8 through March 13. 

“I want to celebrate great victories again," Federer explained, per a translation. "I wanted to make my comeback at a smaller tournament so that I wasn't fully in focus and where the stress is also a little less." 

While fans haven't seen Federer take the court in over a year, he admitted that he kept track of tennis tours throughout last season's resumption held amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I actually thought that I would not follow the sport very much and would be more busy with my children and my rehab," Federer said. "I was surprised that I kept checking results and watching matches. And normally I don't do that at all if I don't take part in a tournament." 

Back in October, Federer told German-language magazine Schweizer Illustrierte that he would only return once he was fully recovered from prior setbacks. 

"I will only take part in a tournament when I am 100% fit," Federer said at that time. 

He added that he wishes to continue playing competitively "as long as I am having fun and it's right for all of us."