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Roger Federer plans to return to tennis in 2021, but it will not happen at the Australian Open. Federer’s agent, Tony Godsick, confirmed to the Associated Press that his client plans to withdraw from the Aussie Open on Sunday.
Federer is still recovering from two operations on his right knee and has not competed in a tournament match in almost a full year. Federer’s last official action was at the 2020 Australian Open, where he lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
The start of this year’s Australian Open has been delayed due to COVID-19 and will not start until early February. Some believed that the overtime would allow Federer to recover and play in the tournament, but Goldsick said skipping the opening major of the year is “the best decision for [Federer] in the long run.”
“Roger has decided not to play the Australian Open 2021. He has made a lot of progress in recent months with his knee and his physical condition. However, after consulting with his team, he decided that the best decision for him in the long term is to return to the competitive tennis after the Australian Open, “Godsick said in a statement, via AP.
Although he will not compete in Melbourne, Federer should be in line to return to the tour soon. Goldsick confirmed that he is working on building a competitive calendar of events for 2021 beginning in late February.
Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, is currently training at his off-season home in Dubai.
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