John McEnroe on Roger Federer’s tennis return: ‘He won’t go the Australian Open to lose in the first round’

Eurosport expert John McEnroe believes Roger Federer won’t return to Grand Slam action “to lose in the first round” with the Swiss star set to make his comeback to tennis in September. Federer has been out of action since his defeat to Hubert Hurkacz at the quarter-finals of Wimbledon last year as he underwent knee surgery. Ad The 20-time Grand Slam champion has since dropped out of the top 1000 in the ATP rankings for the first time since 1997.

US OpenFrom Fritz to Garcia, six players who could be the next surprise US Open winner2 HOURS AGO “He says he wants to play next year and who am I to say that he shouldn't do that?” questioned McEnroe. “He should absolutely do whatever he wants. So, I don't know but if he wants to play next year, and he's even thinking about playing the Australian Open, or play these events, he knows what it takes to do that — and he ain't going there to lose the first round.

“So that will be an interesting decision he will make, I don't know what will happen, he's the most beautiful player I've ever seen and he's the epitome of class.” Federer is set to return to tennis at the Laver Cup, which takes place on September 23-26 in London, as part of a star-studded Team Europe line-up which also includes Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. McEnroe says he personally wouldn’t have a farewell tour and didn’t rule out retirement for Federer. “Me personally, I didn't want the farewell tour but he's obviously in a much different position than I was in,” said McEnroe.