Picture Credit: Reuters
The ongoing French Open 2021 has been handed a major blow on Sunday after Swiss legend Roger Federer announced that he is pulling out of the grand slam. The decision comes on the back of Federer's hard-fought 7-6,6-7, 7-6, 7-5 win in the third-round match yesterday against Dominik Koepfer. The match lasted 3 hours and 36 minutes and was quite a challenging one for the former world no. 1 who is coming on the back of very little tennis after his long layoff due to knee surgeries.
It's important I listen to my body: Federer
Federer had hinted at the possibility of withdrawing from the tournament post his win and had told that he will assess the situation of his knee today morning. And as it stands, the announcement of him pulling out was confirmed on Sunday. "After discussions with my team, I decided that I should withdraw from the French Open today. After two knee operations and more than a year of rehabilitation, it's important that I listen to my body and not rush back into competition, " the 39-year-old was quoted in an official statement released by French Tennis Federation.
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What next for Federer?
The Swiss was due to face Matteo Berrettini in the fourth round but the Italian will progress ahead after Federer's withdrawal. While the fans would wonder when they will see the tennis legend once again, it won't be too late as Federer has probably made this decision to be fully-fit for Wimbledon, scheduled to start on 28 June.