Rafael Nadal (Photo : Getty Images)
Roger Federer is showing progress in recovering from a back injury that forced him to skip the French Open in Paris.
Federer has started to get back to the gym in hopes of getting ready for his next tournament at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, Germany, which officially launches the beginning of the grass-court season. The Swiss Maestro, whose streak of 65 consecutive Grand Slam appearances was halted because of a back problem, posted a mini video clip of himself on his Twitter lifting some weights and showing signs of progress ahead of his next competition.
Federer also gave an update about the condition of his back injury earlier this week during his trophy presentation at FC Basel's victory in the Swiss League. The 17-time Grand Slam winner told Swiss television that his back is getting "better than expected" and progressing well towards recovery.
This year has not gone very well for Federer, so far, no thanks to the injuries and setbacks he sustained, including a knee surgery that forced him to miss more than two months of tennis action. The last time Federer experienced an injury-riddled campaign was in 2013, when he also struggled because of back injuries.
Federer is expected to compete at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, Germany, where the Basel native bids for his first title of the season. If Federer fails to win in the upcoming grass-court tournament, it will be déjà vu as he would head into the Gerry Weber Open in Halle without a single title won. But it could still turn out the other way for Federer, who was adamant he would be in full fitness before getting back to tennis action.
"I remain as motivated and excited as ever and my plan is to achieve the highest level of fitness before returning to the ATP World Tour for the upcoming grass court season," Federer wrote on his official Facebook page.
There is little information about the severity of Federer's back injury, although it does not seem too alarming, considering he was able to take practice sessions immediately after his French Open exit. The only concern now for Federer is whether he could remain healthy all throughout the remainder of the season.
