Roger Federer’s Durability Cited as Greg Rusedski Urges British Tennis to Stay Healthy

Roger Federer’s reputation for durability has become a talking point as British tennis grapples with an injury epidemic, with Greg Rusedski urging Emma Raducanu and her peers to follow the Swiss legend’s example.

On his *Off Court* podcast on Friday, Rusedski-former British No. 1 and US Open finalist-highlighted Federer’s career-long resilience amid Raducanu’s latest setback. The 2021 US Open champion pulled out of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships just hours before her opener, citing a stress fracture in her lower right leg. This followed a string of injuries, including wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023 and bone bruising that ended her 2025 season early.

What did Greg Rusedski say?

Rusedski framed Federer’s career as a benchmark for consistency, noting how the Swiss maestro stayed match-ready even on vacation. “I remember when Roger Federer was at the peak of his career and he was still hitting tennis balls when he went on vacation with his family,” Rusedski said. “That’s what you have to do.”

He pressed British players to avoid long breaks, stressing that downtime forces athletes to “start from scratch.” His comments came as the Lawn Tennis Association faces scrutiny over the country’s injury toll, despite a crop of promising talents.

Federer’s own injury admissions

In September 2025, Federer revealed the extent of the knee, back, and foot issues that forced his 2022 retirement. The 20-time Grand Slam winner-once famed for his durability-admitted he hid most of his struggles from the public. “I didn’t want my opponent or the press to know about my injuries,” he told Andy Roddick’s *Served Media* podcast.

Federer contrasted his secrecy with Rafael Nadal’s openness about injuries. “I was tricky navigating the media,” he said. “I was at 80 per cent and they judged me at 100 per cent.” His final years were dominated by a degenerative knee, which he called the “final piece” of his retirement puzzle.

Why this matters for British tennis

Raducanu’s withdrawal marks her fourth major absence since winning the 2021 US Open. Her 2026 campaign began with a viral illness, then a stress fracture that sidelined her before Wimbledon’s first round. Rusedski’s call for better conditioning echoes concerns about Britain’s next generation.

The debate isn’t just about Raducanu. British men’s No. 1 Cameron Norrie and others have missed events with injuries in recent seasons. Rusedski’s solution? “Team consistency helps. Consistency in training. You can’t take long periods of time off.”

What comes next?

Federer’s legacy looms large as British tennis seeks answers. His 24-year career-111 titles and 20 Grand Slams-ended without a mid-match retirement, a feat he attributed to relentless maintenance. For Raducanu and her compatriots, his blueprint is simple: stay in the gym, stay on court, and stay healthy.

Rusedski’s podcast aired on 18 July 2026, the same week Raducanu’s Wimbledon exit dominated headlines. The timing underscores a harsh truth: talent alone isn’t enough without durability.