Roger Federer will only play in 2021 Australian Open if '100% fit'

Tennis living legend Roger Federer hasn't played in a competitive tournament since this year's Australian Open when he fell to Novak Djokovic 6-7 (1-7), 4-6, 3-6 in the semifinal round. Roughly two months after that result, the bulk of the sports world temporarily shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Later in the year, Federer underwent multiple knee operations that will keep him sidelined through the end of 2020. 

As noted by Reuters (h/t ESPN), the 39-year-old told German-language magazine Schweizer Illustrierte that he's working toward returning at the 2021 Australian Open set to get underway on Jan. 18, but his involvement isn't yet set in stone. 

"I'm on the right track," he said. "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 has good reason to want to play in Melbourne, as Rafael Nadal matched his men's record for Grand Slam titles (20) by winning the French Open that was postponed to the fall because of COVID-19 concerns.However, Federer isn't yet back to his standard training sessions. 

"Not yet, more than two hours with the racket are not possible at the moment," he explained. "But I've been working on my stamina and strength absolutely without pain for a while. There will be no further operations."

Federer admitted that retirement has been on his mind for approximately five years but also added: 

"But as long as I am having fun and it's right for all of us, I'll keep going."