By Richard Kent, Staff Reporter

FLUSHING, NY — There is a certain vibe missing at the US Open. Don’t get me wrong. The vibe is great, but the absence of Roger Federer, who last played in 2018 is clear. He won the event consecutively from 2004-08.

He last played in 2019, when he lost to Grigor Dimitrov.

Countless fans roam the grounds with the patented RF on their hats. And shirts as well.

There was even speculation in the media room this week as to whether Federer would ever play again in New York. The 41-year-old has been out of competition since Wimbledon of 2021 with a knee injury.

He’s had at least two knee surgeries since then.

The good news is that he is returning to competition this month at his own owned Laver Cup in London. He is also rumored to be playing in the Swiss Indoors in his home town of Basel, Switzerland.

So, what will 2022 look like for the 20-time Grand Slam winner? One can only speculate and a veteran tennis player offered an opinion. He thinks that Federer will play in approximately 10 events.

That would start with a tune-up to the Australian Open in January and include the French Open, Wimbledon, a tune-up to the US Open perhaps in Cincinnati, the Laver Cup in Vancouver and might just end with a retirement on his home town Basel courts in the Swiss Indoors.

Can this great superstar win another Major?

Only time will tell, but conventional wisdom is that Wimbledon in 2023, with a solid draw would be his best shot.