World number one Novak Djokovic said on Wednesday he hopes rival Roger Federer will return to competitive action soon and be able to compete with the best again after the Swiss great said he would miss the Australian Open in January.
Roger Federer clinched a record-extending 10th Swiss Indoors championship title in his hometown of Basel with a crushing 6-2, 6-2 victory over Australia's Alex de Minaur on Sunday.
The 34-year-old practised for an hour on Thursday evening at the Rod Laver Arena and his fitness was improving "little by little, step by step", sources close to Nadal told Reuters.
Officials said he was one of a 'handful' of successful applicants among 26 people who sought exemptions.
Switzerland's Roger Federer claimed a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title with a 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Croatia's Marin Cilic on Sunday.
Wimbledon was scrapped for the first time since World War Two on Wednesday due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the suspension of professional tennis extended to July 13. The 38-year-old Federer is well insulated from the shutdown's financial fallout it could well impact his hopes of adding to his record haul of 20 Grand Slam titles.
The Portuguese star is set to earn $125 million before taxes in the 2021-22 season, with $70 million coming from salary and bonus after his return to United.
Nadal, bidding for a record-extending 14th French Open title, won the first five games of the match as he looked on course to repeat his drubbing of the Serb in last year's final.
The six months off, however, appeared to be positively cathartic as he provided arguably the major talking point of the tennis circuit by reviving a career that pundits thought could be over with the injury.
Wimbledon finalists Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are on a semi-final collision course at the US Open after they were placed in the same half of the draw.
Roger Federer got back on track at the ATP Finals with a 7-6(2), 6-3 defeat of Italian Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday.
World number three Roger Federer beat Romanian qualifier Marius Copil 7-6(5), 6-4 to win the Swiss Indoors on Sunday and claim his 99th career title in front of his home crowd in Basel.
Rafael Nadal won two Grand Slams this year -- the French Open and the US Open -- to move within one of Roger Federer's record of 20 titles.
Novak Djokovic still feels inspired by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the men's world number one tennis player has said, adding that the rivalry between the so-called 'Big Three' is a great promotion for the sport.
Djokovic has won the last three editions of Wimbledon in 2018, 2019 and last year
Friday's showdown will be the 40th meeting between the duo with Rafael Nadal leading 24-15 and 10-3 in Grand Slams.
World number three Roger Federer is playing his first tournament on clay for three years as he prepares for the French Open.
From Slam No 1 to Slam No 21 -- a summary of Nadal's 21 majors.
The 21-year-old has now recorded victories over all of tennis's so called 'Big Three' this year, having beaten Roger Federer at the Australian Open and Rafa Nadal in Madrid.
Former world number one Mats Wilander says only two things can keep Roger Federer from advancing - injury and distraction.
Tsitsipas will play 22nd-seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the semi-finals.
Roger Federer admits he suffered a "bit of a breakdown" during last month's tour of Mexico and South America after rioting in Colombian capital Bogota forced him to cancel his exhibition match against German's Alexander Zverev.
was on a 21-match unbeaten run before the season came to a halt in early March, winning the ATP Cup with Serbia, an eighth Australian Open title and a fifth Dubai Tennis Championships crown.
Novak Djokovic posted black screenshots on his Twitter and Instagram pages with the message "Black Lives Matter", and was joined by Federer and Nadal, the other members of the "Big Three" of men's tennis.
Barcelona and Argentina striker Lionel Messi dethroned five-division boxing world champion Floyd Mayweather as the highest paid athlete over the past year.
Djokovic had been favourite to win a 10th title at Melbourne Park and claim a 21st Grand Slam crown but the Serb now faces being deported from Australia.
Tennis great Roger Federer sent Indian film buffs on social media into a tizzy as he asked for suggestions of Bollywood classics.
A look at the 10 landmark matches from the 20-times Grand Slam champion's career.
Gauff will not compete in the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19,
Djokovic's family said his release was the 'biggest victory of his life'.
'I am very proud to pack for Tokyo and join our national team'
Novak Djokovic is capable of extending his record for holding the men's World No. 1 ranking for most weeks to 400, said Russia's Daniil Medvedev who will climb up to a career-best ranking of second on Monday.
Federer displayed his trademark silky movement and said the knee had held up during a two-hour 24 minute duel.
As Sachin Tendulkar completes his 50th birthday, an A-Z listing about the 'Little Master'.
Sweden's Elias Ymer replaced Berrettini in the men's draw, organisers said.
Novak Djokovic said he expects a "great battle" against Italian powerhouse Matteo Berrettini in Sunday's Wimbledon final when victory will earn the Serb a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic missed the Australian Open after being deported for not having been vaccinated against COVID-19 and will not be allowed to compete at the US Open
Their epic rivalry includes three successive Wimbledon finals from 2006
Millman advanced to a quarter-final match-up against sixth seed Novak Djokovic.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley has defended giving Roger Federer 'prime time' treatment at the year's first Grand Slam, saying it was a matter of meeting fans and broadcasters' demands for the 'box office' athlete.
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