Lincolnshire2012

[divingbrit]

Hamburg - Nicolas Kiefer is set to return to tennis from a groin operation in mid April and plans to play on until the 2012 Olympics in London.

"I can't wait for my comeback. I never lost my motivation," the German Kiefer told internet site tennislive.tv on Tuesday.

Kiefer, 32, last played in November 2009 and the one-time world number four (in 2000) has by now dropped to a 139 ranking.

Kiefer eyes a return at the Barcelona tournament starting April 19 and is ready to go through gruelling qualifying although he hopes for one or another wildcard entry as well.

"I have to take a back seat at the tournaments," he said. "I miss the tour. Of course the grind and living out of a suitcase is not always fun. But it is part of the professional player's life."

Kiefer has won six titles in his career in which he did not always live up to the expectations. The last trophy was 10 years ago in Hong Kong and the last final 2008 in Toronto.

"But I have not reached the finish line yet," said Kiefer, who also hopes to play at the World Team Cup in May in Dusseldorf and in a relegation Davis Cup tie as well in September.

The London Olympics are to be the grand finale for Kiefer. They would be his fourth Games, with the biggest success a 2004 doubles silver medal.

"The Olympics are the greatest thing. I have participated in three and they would be a great ending," said Kiefer.

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