Qatar Open: Roger Federer’s First Opponent After 13 Months Out Will Be British Number One, Dan Evans

Roger Federer is set to make his long-awaited comeback from injury at Qatar Open against British number one, Dan Evans on Wednesday, it has emerged.

The British number one sealed the position after beating Jeremy Chardy in the first round at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha on Tuesday, March 9. He went through to the next round after the intense 3 set game, which he won; 6-4 1-6 6-2.

The former ATP world number 1 Federer, had two knee surgeries in 2020 and hasn’t played a professional game since Australian Open semi final in January 2020 against Novak Djokovic.

He faced Rafael Nadal in Match for Africa exhibition in Cape Town on February 7 but has not played since then.

Additionally, COVID-19 wiped out the chance to play on grass in the end for everyone – but Federer would not have been fit to do so anyway.

The Swiss 20-time grand slam winner had a second knee surgery, the third of his career, that wiped out any chance of him recovering in 2020, instead eyeing the Australian swing for his return.

Federer has had knee issues throughout his career and they are the culprit for him currently being sidelined. He underwent surgery for a torn meniscus back in 2016 and missed Dubai and Indian Wells Open that season before ultimately returning for Miami Open.

They were reports that Federer was contemplating retirement after the long injury, but his long time fitness coach, Pierre Paganini said the report was false and Federer still has a huge passion for tennis and he is going to fight back from injury.

The Swiss has been training with Evans in Dubai in preparation for his return to the tour and the Briton will get the chance to use that inside knowledge against Federer when they face each other on the court on Wednesday evening.

Speaking on Sunday, 20-time Grand Slam winner Federer said;

I’m very happy to be back playing a tournament again. It’s been a long time, I never thought it would take this long.

The 39-year-old will be hoping to be 100% fit for Wimbledon, which is scheduled for June.