Federer pulls out of Australian Open
Roger Federer has withdrawn from the Australian Open while he continues preparing to return to action after two operations on his right knee and a tour absence that will have lasted longer than a year.
Tony Godsick – Federer’s long-time representative – said yesterday he was 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.
This ends Federer’s streak of 21 consecutive appearances at Melbourne Park, a run that began with his 2000
debut there and includes six championships.
The start of the Australian Open’s main draw was delayed by three weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic. It is scheduled to begin on February 8.
Federer, 39, hasn’t played a tournament match since late January at the 2020 Australian Open, where he was clearly injured while losing in straight sets to eventual champion Novak
Djokovic in the semifinals. Soon after, Federer participated in an exhibition charity event with Rafael Nadal in front of a record tennis crowd of more than 50,000 people at a football stadium in Cape Town, South Africa.
Just weeks later, Federer said he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and would be sidelined for at least four months. He later had a second procedure on that knee and missed the rest of the pandemic-altered season.
Tennis Australia announced that fivetime runner-up Andy Murray was given a wildcard entry to the Australian Open. Murray, a three-time major champion and former No 1, is 122nd in the rankings after going through two hip operations and considering retirement.