Roger Federer has admitted that he is “nearing the end” of his career, announcing that he will likely miss the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

After nearly 20 years in the game, Roger Federer is catching up with his tennis mortality. 40 years old announced he will not be able to compete in the Australian Open in January and would be “extremely surprised” to return to Wimbledon in time in 2022.

Federer is recovering from knee surgery in August, his third procedure in a year and a half. He lost his last appearance in the quarterfinals against Hubert Hurkacz in the July Wimbledon quarterfinals. Swiss star announced His last operation would take place a month after Wimbledon, as he would give “a little hope” of returning to the tour.

in an interview Geneva Tribune, Federer determined what his ideal return would be, and admitted that it would not be long.

“Even though I know it’s near the end, I want to play some great games,” Federer said. “That won’t be easy, but I want to try.

“Let’s be clear: my life won’t fall apart if I don’t play another Grand Slam final,” added Federer, who underwent two operations on his right knee in 2020 in five months. “But that would be the last dream – to do it. Come back there. This is the last time I want to see what I can do as a professional tennis player.”

Federer’s 20 major singles tournaments are tied with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal the most ever. He won eight at Wimbledon, six at the Australian Open, five at the US Open and one at the French Open. But while the end of Federer’s career would make it easier for Djokovic to move up the top of the all-time list, the Serb is not rooted for his coming soon.

“Of course, Roger is an icon of our sport, and he is loved by people all over the world,” Djokovic said on Wednesday. “They love to see him play; they love to see him around. It’s very important for our sport, both on and off the court. So for the sake of our sport, I really hope to see him play, at least once again.”

Federer said he plans to start running again in January and return in March or April with “complex support.” That timeline would leave him out of the Australian Open in January and probably the French Open in May and Wimbledon in July.

Every time his return comes, however, Federer hopes to be memorable.

“My ambition is to see what I’m capable of last time,” Federer said. “I’d also like to say goodbye in my own way and on a tennis court. That’s why I give it my all in rehab.”