FOR THE FIRST time in 17 years, the main draw at a Grand Slam tennis tournament won’t feature Roger Federer when the French Open begins at Roland Garros on Sunday.
Federer, who has been struggling recently with a back problem, announced via his Facebook page today that the injury has forced him to withdraw from the tournament.
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“I regret to announce that I have made the decision not to play in this year’s French Open,” said Federer. “I have been making steady progress with my overall fitness, but I am still not 100% and feel I might be taking an unnecessary risk by playing in this event before I am really ready. This decision was not easy to make, but I took it to ensure I could play the remainder of the season and help to extend the rest of my career.
“I remain as motivated and excited as ever and my plan is to achieve the highest level of fitness before returning to the ATP World Tour for the upcoming grass court season. I am sorry for my fans in Paris but I very much look forward to returning to Roland Garros in 2017.”
Federer has played in 65 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, having not missed a major since he fell short — as a 17-year-old — in the second qualifying round of the US Open in 1999.
Currently ranked third in the world, Federer was won 17 Grand Slam titles but the French Open has been his least successful major tournament, having won just once — in 2009 — in Paris.
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Federer to miss first Grand Slam event since 1999 after withdrawing from French Open
FOR THE FIRST time in 17 years, the main draw at a Grand Slam tennis tournament won’t feature Roger Federer when the French Open begins at Roland Garros on Sunday.
Federer, who has been struggling recently with a back problem, announced via his Facebook page today that the injury has forced him to withdraw from the tournament.
“I regret to announce that I have made the decision not to play in this year’s French Open,” said Federer. “I have been making steady progress with my overall fitness, but I am still not 100% and feel I might be taking an unnecessary risk by playing in this event before I am really ready. This decision was not easy to make, but I took it to ensure I could play the remainder of the season and help to extend the rest of my career.
“I remain as motivated and excited as ever and my plan is to achieve the highest level of fitness before returning to the ATP World Tour for the upcoming grass court season. I am sorry for my fans in Paris but I very much look forward to returning to Roland Garros in 2017.”
Federer has played in 65 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, having not missed a major since he fell short — as a 17-year-old — in the second qualifying round of the US Open in 1999.
Currently ranked third in the world, Federer was won 17 Grand Slam titles but the French Open has been his least successful major tournament, having won just once — in 2009 — in Paris.
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