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Six-times champion Roger Federer has withdrawn from the Australian Open as he continues to work his approach again to health from two knee operations earlier this 12 months, his agent mentioned.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 endure 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 because of the 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 instructed organisers that the delayed begin to the event may gain advantage him.
However, his agent Tony Godsick mentioned Federer was not fairly able to return.
“Roger has decided not to play the 2021 Australian Open,” Godsick mentioned in a press release. “He has made sturdy progress within the final couple of months along with his knee and his health.
“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.”
Godsick added that he was seeking to construct a enjoying calendar for Federer from late February.
Australian Open event director Craig Tiley mentioned they have been upset to lose Federer for subsequent 12 months’s occasion.
“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,” Tiley mentioned in a press release.
“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 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 12 months, dropping to eventual winner Novak Djokovic.
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