It’s a bit like coming home, says Roger Federer as he makes winning return from six-month layoff
Swiss ace wins first-round match against Jurgen Melzer at Australian Open and remarks that ‘it’s nice to be playing normal tennis again’
Roger Federer returned from a six-month layoff to beat fellow 35-year-old Jurgen Melzer just before midnight on day one of the Australian Open, agreeing it felt a bit like coming home.
The 17-time major winner hadn’t played at tour level since Wimbledon, giving his injured left knee time to heal.
He served 19 aces and had only one double fault in a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 win on Monday over Melzer, but dropped serve three times and had moments of frustration.
“It’s nice to be playing normal tennis again,” he said. “It was a long road [but] I’m in the draw, which is a beautiful thing.”
“I was fine all day ... I felt fine. Then I hit four frames in a row,” he said. “Think I struggled for a while to find that groove, that rhythm.”