Tim Henman says ‘mesmerising’ Roger Federer ‘won’t just make up the numbers’ upon his return

Roger Federer celebrates

Tim Henman believes Roger Federer will set his sights on winning the biggest tournaments when he makes his long-awaited comeback from injury.

After more than a year on the sidelines following two knee operations, 20-time Grand Slam winner Federer will make his competitive return at the Doha Open next week.

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The tennis great, who will turn 40 in August, may be in the twilight of his career, but Henman says he will be “working incredibly hard” to win the biggest events in the sport.

“His old level is so high, he’s not going to come back just to be making up the numbers,” the Eurosport analyst told Forbes.com.

“He wants to be back competing to win the biggest and best tournaments. And that’s not going to get any easier as you get close to your fortieth birthday. But he’s working incredibly hard, I’m sure.”

Federer has dominated men’s tennis alongside Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic the past few decades while 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams has ruled women’s tennis.

“For me, he’s [Federer is] the most mesmerising player we have probably ever had in our sport,” Henman said.

He continued: “Tennis is blessed with some huge icons of the sport and of sport. Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, Serena Williams, they as big a star as you can get. So we’re fortunate, but they’re not going to be around forever. So it’s important that we do enjoy them while they’re still competing.”

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