Roger Federer withdraws from French Open to protect knee after marathon match

The 39-year-old Swiss star, a 20-time Grand Slam winner, completed his third-round match at 12:43 am local time on Sunday (6 June).

2 minBy ZK Goh
GettyImages-1322009729
(2021 Getty Images)

Roger Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam tennis champion and Beijing 2008 doubles gold medallist, has pulled out of the 2021 French Open after coming through a marathon four-setter in the third round that finished at 12:43 am local time on Sunday (6 June).

Making the announcement on social media hours after his 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), 7-5 win over Dominik Koepfer, 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.

"I am thrilled to have gotten 3 matches under my belt," Federer added. "There is no greater feeling than being back on court."

Federer, whose aim this year is Wimbledon which begins in three weeks, had earlier responded to a tweet from Andy Murray calling him "inspirational" by saying "see you on the [grass]".

Roland-Garros was seen as a warm-up for that, allowing the Swiss legend to gain some court time ahead of the British major.

Italy's Matteo Berrettini, the tournament ninth seed, was due to be Federer's fourth-round opponent.

Berrettini will now receive a walkover, and could play world number one Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.

More from