By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
Okay.ngOkay.ngOkay.ng
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Reading: Federer out of Australian Open after knee surgery
Share
Font ResizerAa
Okay.ngOkay.ng
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Search
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Follow US
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2022 - All rights reserved
Sport

Federer out of Australian Open after knee surgery

Agency Report with Okay.ng
By Agency Report with Okay.ng
Published: December 28, 2020
Share
5 Min Read
Roger Federer
Roger Federer
SHARE

Twenty-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will miss the Australian Open for the first time in his career as he continues his recovery from two rounds of knee surgery, organisers said Monday.

The 39-year-old Swiss has been out of action since February but recently resumed training and was on the entry list for year’s opening Grand Slam, which will make a delayed start on February 8.

Federer, a huge favourite with the Melbourne crowds, hasn’t missed the Australian Open since his debut in 2000, winning the trophy six times.

“In the end Roger ran out of time to get himself ready for the rigours of a Grand Slam and he’s very disappointed he won’t be coming to Melbourne in 2021,” said tournament chief Craig Tiley.

- Advertisement -

“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.”

Federer sat out most of the Covid-disrupted 2020 season after losing to Novak Djokovic in the Melbourne semis in January, his last competitive match.

He underwent keyhole surgery on his right knee in February, before needing a follow-up operation and calling off his season to recover.

The Swiss could only watch as Rafael Nadal matched his all-time men’s record of 20 Grand Slam singles titles with a 13th victory at the French Open.

- Advertisement -

Federer will now concentrate on getting himself ready for the rest of the 2021 season, which includes the Tokyo Olympics and the chance of his first singles gold medal.

“He has made strong progress in the last couple of months with his knee and his fitness,” his agent Tony Godsick said in a statement.

“I will start discussions this coming week for tournaments that begin in late February and then start to build a schedule for the rest of the year,” Godsick added.

– Murray wildcard –

Federer’s absence will be felt at the Australian Open, despite a top-quality field led by world number ones Djokovic and Ashleigh Barty.

US superstar Serena Williams, Federer’s contemporary at 39, is also on the entry list as she again attempts to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24-time Grand Slam singles titles.

Federer’s withdrawal comes as former world number one Andy Murray, a five-time Australian Open finalist, was given a wildcard entry.

Tiley welcomed the 33-year-old back to the tournament, two years after his first-round exit prompted fears his career was at an end.

“Seeing him come back, having undergone major surgery and built himself back up to get onto the tour again, will be a highlight,” Tiley said.

The opening Slam of the year, which will be played in front of at least 50 percent of normal crowds, has been pushed back three weeks to February 8 over difficulties caused by the coronavirus.

All players must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine on arrival, during which they will constantly be tested for Covid-19 but allowed to train for five hours a day in a bio-secure bubble.

The men’s and women’s qualifiers will be held in Doha and Dubai respectively from January 10-13, with players arriving in Melbourne from January 15 on special charter flights.

Melbourne only emerged from a months-long lockdown in October following a second wave of Covid-19, complicating planning for the Grand Slam and how to allow so many players and support staff to enter the country safely.

Australia has largely contained the coronavirus, although a new outbreak in Sydney has sparked fresh restrictions in parts of the city and even state border closures.

Stay Updated on the Go with Our Latest News—Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
TAGGED:Australian OpenRoger Federer
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article South Korea detects first COVID-19 variant cases
Next Article Davido and Burnaboy reportedly exchange blows in a club in Ghana

Connect with Okay on Social

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
TelegramFollow

Dollar/Naira Rates

Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate

Okay.ng Logo
Buy Rate ₦1,605.00
Sell Rate ₦1,620.00

Last updated: 4 days ago (June 3, 2025 2:33 pm)

Displayed rates are for informational purposes only and are subject to change.

USD/NGN Converter

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Recent Posts

Tinubu Urged by PDP to Cut Fuel and Electricity Costs Amid Eid-el-Kabir Festivities
News
Mike Ejeagha
Mike Ejeagha, Nigerian Highlife Maestro, Dies at 95
News
Tinubu Welcomes Gov Eno to APC as Political Realignments Intensify Across States
Politics Top stories
Super Eagles Rally to Draw Against Russia in International Friendly
Sport
Manchester United Raises Annual Core Profit Forecast to Between £180m and £190m After Europa League Boost
Sport
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You May Also Like

Ange Postecoglou
Sport

Tottenham Hotspur Part Ways with Ange Postecoglou Despite Europa League Glory

Yusuf Abubakar
Yusuf Abubakar
June 6, 2025
News

Dangote Names Main Refinery Access Road “Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road” in Honor of President

Muhammad A. Aliyu
Muhammad A. Aliyu
June 6, 2025
L-R: Ify Okoye, Digital Creator; Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Actress; Stella Erebor, Head Internal Audit, Nigerian Communications Commission; Emanuella Samuel, Comedienne/Actress, Sylvia Musalagani, Safety Policy Manager, Africa, Middle East & Turkey (AMET), Meta, and Nicole Chikwe, founder of The Mummy Summit, during the launch of Instagram teen accounts in Lagos on Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Tech

Meta Launches Teen Accounts on Instagram in Nigeria to Enhance Online Safety for Young Users

Farouk Mohammed
Farouk Mohammed
June 6, 2025
Okay.ngOkay.ng
Follow US
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2025 - All rights reserved
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
adbanner
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?