Roger Federer Has Withdrawn From The 2021 French Open, Eyes For Wimbledon
Roger Federer has pulled out of the French Open, which is now underway. On Monday, he was scheduled to face Matteo Berrettini for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Federer, who was competing in his first Grand Slam since the Australian Open in 2020, said: "After two knee surgeries and over a year of rehabilitation it's important that I listen to my body and make sure I don't push myself too quickly."
He announced his withdrawal from the French Open on Sunday, despite having advanced to the fourth round, to concentrate on his primary goal of earning a ninth Wimbledon title.
"I don't know if I am going to play," Federer had said after Saturday night's win. "I have to decide whether or not to continue playing. Is it too risky to keep putting pressure on the knee? Is it a good time to rest?"
He is a 20-time Grand Slam champion who will turn 40 in two months, defeated 59th-ranked Dominik Koepfer 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 over three and a half hours till 12:45 Sunday am to get to the last 16.
"The Roland Garros tournament is sorry about the withdrawal of Roger Federer, who put up an incredible fight last night," tournament director Guy Forget said in a statement. "We were all delighted to see Roger back in Paris, where he played three high-level matches. We wish him all the best for the rest of the season."
The Association of Tennis Professionals has him at No. 8 in the world (ATP). He and Rafael Nadal share the record of 20 Grand Slam men's singles titles. Federer has spent 310 weeks at the top of the ATP rankings, including a record 237 consecutive weeks, and has five times closed the year as the top player.
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