Roger Federer's coach drops huge retirement claim

Roger Federer’s coach claims the 20-time Grand Slam champ isn’t ready to retire and we should expect to him play past 2021.

Federer announced he would sit out the remainder of the 2020 season after a second-round of knee surgeries following his semi-final exit at the hands of Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.

LOVE MATCH: Photos expose tennis superstars' secret romance

‘WILL HAPPEN’: Serena coach's bold call on tennis legends

The sudden news prompted rumours the 38-year-old could retire after such a setback so late in his glittering career.

In a recent interview with German outlet Zeit, Federer said he was hopeful to play in front of a packed stadium at least once more.

“In principle, I was only concerned with my health, but now I miss the feeling of playing in a full stadium,” Federer said.

“Retirement is getting closer and I will miss tennis so much.

“It would be easier for me to retire now, but I wanna give myself a chance to keep enjoying my time on the court.”

But long-time coach Severin Luthi claims Federer is so eager to get back on the circuit, retirement doesn’t appear on the radar.

He said Federer doesn’t appear ready to put down the racket for at least another 18 months.

"Roger still loves life on the circuit, I've never heard him say that he should stop because he wants a change of lifestyle or that he's tired of travelling," he told Swish magazine Smash.

"Nothing can be 100% ruled out but given that he still loves tennis and the time he spends with the friends that he has everywhere, I don't think he's thinking of retiring in 2021."

Luthi also admitted there were some similarities with Federer’s 2016 season, which was plagued with injuries, before Federer returned to win the 2017 Australian Open.

"It's true, there are parallels with 2016. Perhaps he could use that to his advantage. The truth is that this injury arrived at the best possible moment," he added.

Roger Federer’s hopes for 2021 Wimbledon

Federer said he is "missing" Wimbledon after the grass-court Grand Slam was cancelled, but hopes to play the tournament in 2021.

The 38-year-old had already announced he will not play again until next year.

This week was scheduled to be the second week of Wimbledon, where Federer has won a record eight men's singles titles, but the tournament was cancelled for the first time since World War II due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Personally, it has been very pleasant to stay in the same place for a long time, I hadn't experienced that for more than 25 years," Federer said at the launch of the "Roger Center Court" running shoes created by Swiss brand On.

"But of course I miss Wimbledon, of course I would like to be there currently playing on Centre Court for a place in the second week.”