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“Roger has decided not to play the Australian Open in 2021,” the AP news agency reported, citing a statement from Federer’s manager Tony Godsick. The 39-year-old Basel has made great strides in both his knees and his fitness in recent months. “However, after consulting with his team, he decided that in the long run the best decision for him would be to return to professional tennis after the Australian Open.” A return to the tour is planned after the first Grand Slam tournament of the year. Federer is currently training at his second home in Dubai.
Federer was on the entry list for the Australian Open, but had already stated at the “Sport Awards” in mid-December that participation might be low. Not 100 percent yet. The 39-year-old won the tournament in Melbourne six times, including in 2017, when he celebrated a brilliant comeback with his 18th Grand Slam victory after a six-month break.
Two week quarantine before the tournament
The Australian Open was postponed three weeks to February 8 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The tennis season begins in January with tournaments in Delray Beach and Antalya (men), as well as Abu Dhabi (women) before the players move in to complete their two-week quarantine upon entering Australia. The state of Victoria has been Covid-19 free for almost two months.
In addition to world number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, as Federer winner of 20 Grand Slam titles, is on the entry list. For women, world number 1 Ashleigh Barty is planning her comeback.
