ROGER FEDERER is back on a tennis court and eyeing his 2021 comeback after recovering from two knee surgeries.
The Swiss great, who turned 39 in August, took to social media to give fans a positive update as he continues his return to full fitness.
Federer shared a picture from his homeland serving on a court surrounded by trees.
He wrote: “Back to work,” and tagged his coach Severin Luthi.
Luthi then shared a picture of his man striking a trademark forehand on the week he reached 1,000 weeks in the ATP’s top 20.
He added: “Great week of practice with @rogerfederer outdoors in Switzerland in November!”
Federer has not played a competitive tennis match since losing the Australian Open semi-final to Novak Djokovic in January.
He went under the knife in February for arthroscopic treatment on a problematic right knee but then needed an additional operation three months later.
In that time, the 20-time Grand Slam champion saw his great friend and rival Rafael Nadal tie level with his record Major haul.
But he insisted he is having no thoughts about retiring soon.
Instead Federer is eyeing up a return to the tennis circuit as soon as possible at the beginning of 2021.
The world No4 said: “I’m definitely not retiring now. I trained last week, I should be on the court at the beginning of January.
“I am still fighting for my return, I want to be on the court, I would like to play with the legends of the game, with the best players.
“I feel that there is little left in me. I am doing well, it is a long process – not daily, but weekly.”
Last time Federer had an extended spell out due to surgery, he came back firing by winning the 2017 Australian Open and then Wimbledon and another title Down Under within a year.
