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Roger Federer's agent addresses bombshell reports about tennis champ

Tony Godsick and Roger Federer, pictured here at the Laver Cup in 2021.
Tony Godsick and Roger Federer at the Laver Cup in 2021. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)

Roger Federer's agent has addressed reports the Swiss legend will miss the upcoming Laver Cup due to recurring troubles with his surgically-repaired knee.

Federer, who hasn't played since undergoing a third knee surgery after Wimbledon in 2021, is supposed to be making his long-awaited return at the Laver Cup exhibition event later this month.

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The September 23-26 event will see Federer join forces with Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray on Team Europe in the first time that all four members of the 'Big 4' will play on the same team.

However Federer's participation has been thrown into major doubt, with reports emerging from Switzerland this week that he might not be able to play.

According to Swiss publication Tages Anzeiger, Federer could be forced to play a lighter Laver Cup schedule or skip the event completely due to fluid and inflammation on his knee.

Event rules state that every player must feature in at least one singles and one doubles match, which might be too much for Federer after 14 months on the sidelines.

He has also committed to playing at the Swiss Indoors event in Basel in October in what shapes as his return to the ATP tour.

Addressing reports about his participation at the Laver Cup on Thursday, Federer's agent and event chairman Tony Godsick said: "Federer has been practicing for some weeks now. He is feeling some pain but keeps trying.

"He's been training for weeks and wants to start in London and Basel. We'll see at the Laver Cup whether his knee will hold up."

Laver Cup Chairman Tony Godsick, pictured here at the 2021 event in Boston.
Laver Cup Chairman Tony Godsick at the 2021 event in Boston. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)

Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal in doubt for Laver Cup

Federer helped create the Laver Cup with Aussie legend Rod Laver, with the team event set for its fifth edition in London later this month.

Ticket prices and sales have reportedly skyrocketed due to the interest in seeing Federer back in action, particularly considering the presence of fellow greats Nadal, Djokovic and Murray.

However Nadal's participation is also under a major cloud after the Spanish star revealed after his loss at the US Open that he's not sure when he will play again.

With wife Xisca expecting their first child in coming weeks and recently hospitalised in Spain, Nadal said he needed to prioritise his personal life.

Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer, pictured here celebrating with the trophy at the Laver Cup in 2019.
Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer celebrate with the trophy at the Laver Cup in 2019. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup )

"Now I have to go home, I have more important things than tennis to attend to," he said.

"Decisions will be made based on how everything goes in my personal life, which comes before my professional life.

"It's been a bit difficult for a few months but I want to finish the year with something very important that is my first child.

"I need to go back. I need to fix things. I don't know when I'm going to come back.

"I going to try to be ready mentally. When I feel that I will be ready to compete again, I will be there."

The absence of Federer and Nadal would be a huge blow for Laver Cup organisers, with fans pointing out the insane price of tickets for this year's edition of the event.

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