Roger Federer Withdraws From French Open

Roger Federer has withdrawn from French Open.

Gatekeepers News reports that Roger Federer has withdrawn from the French Open to protect his body after knee surgeries.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion took the decision after a taxing third-round win over Dominik Koepfer to reach the fourth round.

Federer 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 on my road to recovery.”

He was supposed to face Italian ninth seed Matteo Berrettini on Monday.

Federer in a statement released by French Open organisers said, “after discussions with my team, I’ve decided I will need to pull out of Roland-Garros today.”

“I am thrilled to have gotten three matches under my belt. There is no greater feeling than being back on court.”

He had two knee surgeries last year and had played only three matches in 16 months before arriving in Paris.

Federer, who won the French Open in 2009, made it no secret that his priority for this year is Wimbledon, which will start on 28 June.

His Saturday’s match was a lengthy encounter that finished at 00:43 local time as he periodically looked anxious in his 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 victory against Koepfer.

Gatekeepers News gathered that Federer initially hinted journalists after the match that a withdrawal could be on the cards if he felt there would be too much risk to his knee.

Although he has faced many criticisms from some of his counterparts, former world number one and three-time Grand Slam winner, Andy Murray, has commended him for what he described as a “sensible decision”.

His withdrawal comes three days after World Number One Ash Barty in the women category retired due to her leg injury.

Gatekeepers News earlier reported that Naomi Osaka pulled out from the tournament on mental health grounds. Federer’s withdrawal has, therefore, made it the third seed withdrawal in the ongoing French Open.