'Roger Federer was the first to call the Australian Open a Happy Slam,' says..

Roger Federer will miss the Australian Open for the first time since 1999, failing to recover in time from a knee injury! The 39-year-old Swiss will not compete in Melbourne in February, needing more time to get back at 100% and targeting the end of February or the beginning of March as his starting point. The Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley released a statement, saying Roger is disappointed for not being able to compete in Melbourne next year, hoping to come back in 2022. Roger made a perfect comeback at the Australian Open 2017, leaving a nasty injury behind him and winning his first Major crown since 2012. A year later, Roger returned to Melbourne and defended the trophy, lifting the 20th and the last Major trophy after beating Marin Cilic in five sets. In 2019, Federer lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in four tight sets, returning this January and reaching the semi-final after a roller coaster ride.

Roger Federer won't compete at the Australian Open 2021.

Federer overcame an 8-4 deficit in the deciding tie break against John Millman to avoid an early setback and saved seven match points in the quarter-final clash against Tennys Sandgren to set Novak Djokovic encounter. Despite a solid start, Federer lost that one in straight sets and has never played an official match since, struggling with a knee injury and undergoing surgery a few weeks earlier. Roger failed to take the pain away and underwent another surgery in May, the one that forced him to skip the rest of the season and focus on 2021. The Swiss hit the practice court again in October, increasing the pace of his training sessions and hoping to get ready for the season's start. Roger arrived in Dubai a week ago, working on his game with the coach Ivan Ljubicic but not wanting to risk anything in Australia and staying away from the first Major of the season. The 20-time Major champion will try to make a comeback in Dubai, Rotterdam or some other event in two months, eager to extend his career and fight for the notable titles again.

"In the end, Roger ran out of time to get himself ready for the rigors of a Grand Slam, and he's very disappointed he won't be coming to Melbourne in 2021. The Australian Open has always held a special place in his heart - remember it was Roger who first called the Australian Open the 'happy Slam.' We wish him all the best as he prepares for his comeback later in the year, and look forward to seeing him in Melbourne in 2022," Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2L0fRjr