Federer to make ATP tour return in Doha

Roger Federer will make his long-awaited return to the ATP Tour in March when he is set to compete at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.

The Swiss superstar, who has undergone two right knee operations in the past 12 months, last played on 30 January 2020 when he lost to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals.

Speaking to Swiss broadcaster SRF, Federer said, “I thought for a long time when and where I should come back. Australia was still a bit too early because of my knee… I want to celebrate big victories once again. And for that I am ready to go the long, hard way.”

The Qatar ExxonMobil Open, where Federer has won three titles in 2005-06 and 2011, begins on 8 March. The ATP 250 tournament is traditionally held in January each year.

The 39-year-old Federer has won 1,242 matches and 103 tour-level titles during his legendary career. Only Jimmy Connors (1,274 match wins and 109 titles) has won more matches and titles in the Open Era (since April 1968).