Roger Federer WITHDRAWS from Australian Open to aid operation recovery

Roger Federer WITHDRAWS from Australian Open as the six-time champion continues recovery from two operations on his right knee ahead of first Grand Slam in 2021

  • Roger Federer is withdrawing from the Australian Open taking place in February 
  • His agent says it’s to aid Federer’s recovery after his operations on his right knee
  • Federer’s agent claims he is putting together a 2021 tennis calendar for the star 

Roger Federer is withdrawing from the Australian Open while he continues to prepare for a return to action after two operations on his right knee.

The six-time tournament winner has not played a competitive match since sustaining his injury in January this year when he lost in the semi-finals to Novak Djokovic.    

Federer’s agent, Tony Godsick, has said he is working on putting together a 2021 tennis calendar for the 20-time Grand Slam champion – who plans to get back on tour soon after the year’s first major tennis tournament.  

Roger Federer (above) is withdrawing from the Australian Open taking place in February

Speaking of Federer’s absence from the tournament, Godsick told the Associated Press: ‘Roger has decided not to play the 2021 Australian Open. He has made strong progress in the last couple of months with his knee and his fitness. 

‘However, after consultation with his team, he decided that the best decision for him in the long run is to return to competitive tennis after the Australian Open.

‘I will start discussions this coming week for tournaments that begin in late February and then start to build a schedule for the rest of the year,’ he added.

The six-time winner is sitting out to aid his recovery after two operations on his knee

Andy Murray has been given a wildcard for the 2021 Australian Open starting in February

The start of the Australian Open’s main draw was delayed by three weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic and is now scheduled to begin on February 8 at Melbourne Park. 

In other news related to the tournament, Tennis Australia announced that five-time runner-up Andy Murray was given a wild-card entry.

Murray, a three-time major champion and former No. 1, is 122nd in the rankings after going through two hip operations and considering retirement.

Murray has also accepted a wildcard into what is a makeshift start to the season next week, playing at the ATP event in Delray Beach, Florida, before flying on to Australia. 




Share this article

Source: Read Full Article