The 39-year-old Swiss has been out of action since February, but recently resumed training and was on the entry list for the opening Grand Slam of the year, which will start late on February 8.
Federer, a huge favorite among the Melbourne crowd, 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 prepare for the rigors of a Grand Slam and is very disappointed that he will not be coming to Melbourne in 2021,” said the tournament boss. Craig tiley.
“We wish him all the best as he prepares for his comeback at the end of the year and we look forward to seeing him in Melbourne in 2022.”
All the best with your recovery @rogerfederer. We hope to see you again at the #AusOpen in 2022. https://t.co/M6L05zF50K
– #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) 1609117795000
Federer has not played a tournament since his Melbourne semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic in January, missing the remainder of the 2020 season interrupted by Covid.
He could only watch Rafael Nadal equate his all-time men’s record of 20 individual Grand Slam titles with a 13th French Open win.
Federer leaves a field full of the best players in the world, led by the world’s number one Djokovic and Ashleigh Barty.
The inaugural Grand Slam of the year, which will be played in front of at least 50 percent of the normal crowd, was delayed for three weeks until February 8.
The withdrawal comes when former world number one Andy Murray, a five-time Australian Open finalist, received a wild card entry.
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