Australian Open: Roger Federer ‘runs out of time for rigours of grand slam’ after knee surgeries
- The six-time winner is back in training but will miss opening grand slam of year, which has been pushed back three weeks to February 8
- The 39-year-old has not played since his Melbourne semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic in January, missing the rest of Covid-disrupted 2020 season
Twenty-time grand slam champion Roger Federer will miss the Australian Open for the first time in his career as he continues his recovery from two rounds of knee surgery, organisers said on Monday.
The 39-year-old Swiss has been out of action since February but recently resumed training and was on the entry list for year’s opening grand slam, which will make a delayed start on February 8.
Federer, a huge favourite with the Melbourne crowds, has not missed the Australian Open since his debut in 2000, winning the trophy six times.
“In the end, Roger ran out of time to get himself ready for the rigours of a grand slam and he’s very disappointed he won’t be coming to Melbourne in 2021,” said tournament chief Craig Tiley.
“We wish him all the best as he prepares for his comeback later in the year and look forward to seeing him in Melbourne in 2022.”
Federer has not played a tournament since his Melbourne semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic in January, missing the rest of the Covid-disrupted 2020 season.