As the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is set to get underway from Monday, the collective moan of tennis fans in the city at missing out on Roger Federer is difficult to miss. For now, one can only join the organisers’ prayer that the Swiss ace can be back next year for what would be the 25th year of the men’s event – where the presence of the man who has won it the most number of times seems to be a natural fit.

However, the bigger question that the tennis fraternity is sweating over is his possible date of return to the courts after the arthoscopic surgery on his knee – his first in a career spanning nearly 15 years now. The official line, when the announcement came through, was a break of a month but from all indications it could be a longer one – which puts his scheduled next appearance in Indian Wells in March in serious doubt.

The secret of Federer’s longevity as a player, apart from the sublime skills he is blessed with, has been also his ability to remain largely injury-free. The only major trouble that comes to mind was a back problem in 2013, which he successfully overcame and for the most of last year, he looked like enjoying the process of re-inventing his game and ready for a tilt at the elusive 18th Slam.

The knee (ask Rafa Nadal) can be a serious business, which can become chronic and when surgery is required, also throws in an element of uncertainty in the mind of the player in his or her movements. No wonder, it’s posing all kinds of questions in the minds of his legion of fans – can he be the same player again? What will happen to his much talked about final Olympics run in Rio where he plans to go for his first singles gold and also to play doubles and mixed doubles?

The inevitable speculation about Federer’s long term future, with him being 34, will also begin sooner than later. The consummate pro that he is, Federer has already begun cutting down on his itinerary (he had planned a two-month break after March to rest ahead of the French Open) as the tennis fraternity braces for a scenario when like all good things, the Federer era will have to come to an end.

What’s of immediate consequence though is recovery from a torn meniscus in the knee – which reportedly happened in a freak twist when he took his daughters out for a walk at the Melbourne Park a day after his semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic in Australian Open. It’s as freaky as they come – but expert opinion says it shouldn’t take much time to heal provided the cartilage is not damaged.

Here’s hoping to see him back in action soon!