ROGER FEDERER has put tennis fans in a spin with a cryptic cracker of a tweet about his future.
Admirers of the 42-year-old legend are trying to decide if he posted an "Easter Funny" or a real "Holly Roger" hint at a comeback next CHRISTMAS!
The 20-time Grand Slam champ shared three emojis rarely seen together at this time of year - a "soon" signal, an Xmas tree and a pair of eyes.
The Swiss icon has already admitted he "doesn't want to go away" from tennis, having retired as a player in September 2022.
But Federer's message on X is his most intriguing contribution yet to speculation that he might return competitively on the court.
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Fans hungry to see him renew his rivalry with Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal pounced on his triple-emoji outburst with glee.
"Waiting for it, my Roger!" said one, while others wrote "Yes King" and asked "It's happening?"
However, some tennis enthusiasts pleaded for more clues.
One posted a tearful emoji with the confession: "I am not Sherlock Holmes, Roger. What's a tree supposed to mean?"
A like-minded fan added: "We need more of a hint than that! Give us one more emoji, Roger."
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Others reminded the record eight-time Wimbledon king that "Christmas is nine months away".
But there was one cheeky theory over a surprise role Fed could take up in the sport.
"Coming out of the woodwork to coach Djokovic?" asked the fan.
That follows the 36-year-old Serb splitting from his main off-court man Goran Ivanisevic.
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It's a mischievous suggestion - but then again, who better than Federer?
After all, in terms of honours in the world of tennis, he's won of the few players more decorated than an Xmas tree...