Roger Federer will not be at the Australian Open, a tournament he’s won

six times before.

The Swiss tennis player has withdrawn, citing fitness issues since

undergoing knee surgery last year.

Australian Open director, Craig Tiley, in a statement today said,”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.

“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, a 20-time major champion, won two of the last three stagings of

the tournament, reaching the semifinls last year after having surgery on his

right knee.

During an interview early this month, Federer said his recovery was

taking longer than expected and hinted that he may not be ready for first major

tournament of the coming year.

“I would have

hoped that I would be 100% in October. But I am still not today. It will be

tight for the Australian Open,” he said.

The Australian Open

is scheduled to begin February 8.