IMAGE: Roger Federer final performed a aggressive match on the season-opening Grand Slam in January earlier than present process surgical procedure on his knee. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Six-times champion Roger Federer has withdrawn from the Australian Open as he continues to work his method again to health from two knee operations earlier this yr, his agent mentioned.
The 39-year-old Swiss final performed a aggressive match on the season-opening Grand Slam in January earlier than he needed to bear surgical procedure on his knee. He later required a second operation.
The begin of the 2021 Australian Open has been delayed for 3 weeks till February 8 as a result of nation’s strict border guidelines to curb the unfold of the novel coronavirus.
Federer, who had been coaching at his low season base in Dubai, had informed organisers that the delayed begin to the event may benefit him.
However, his agent Tony Godsick mentioned Federer was not fairly able to return.
“Roger has determined to not play the 2021 Australian Open,” Godsick mentioned in a press release. “He has made robust progress within the final couple of months together with his knee and his health.
“However, after session together with his workforce, he determined that one of the best choice for him in the long term is to return to aggressive tennis after the Australian Open.”
Godsick added that he was trying to construct a taking part in calendar for Federer from late February.
Australian Open event director Craig Tiley mentioned they have been disenchanted to lose Federer for subsequent yr’s occasion.
“In the top Roger ran out of time to get himself prepared for the rigours of a Grand Slam and he is very disenchanted he will not be coming to Melbourne in 2021,” Tiley mentioned in a press release.
“We want him all one of the best as he prepares for his comeback later within the yr and stay up for seeing him in Melbourne in 2022.”
Federer has been an ever-present at Melbourne Park since his first look when he misplaced in qualifying in 1999.
He has made 15 journeys to the semi-finals and gained the final of his six Melbourne titles in 2018.
Federer made the semis earlier this yr, dropping to eventual winner Novak Djokovic.
