Shattered fans, ‘horrible’ news from Roger Federer – We are Press

Roger Federer has serious doubts for the US Open after withdrawing from two previous events due to lingering injury concerns.

Federer’s retirement from upcoming hard court tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati were announced Thursday, and officials cited persistent problems with his surgically repaired knee.

‘RUINS’: Fans saddened by Ash Barty and Naomi Osaka news

TALK: Doubles partner breaks silence on Djokovic rage

The news follows the surprising decision of the 20-time Grand Slam champion to skip the Tokyo Olympics after he said he “experienced a setback” with his knee at Wimbledon.

Federer, who turns 40 on Sunday, has not competed since losing in the quarterfinals to Hubert Hurkacz at the All England Club.

The Swiss champion was humiliated in straight sets, losing the final set 6-0 to score his first Grand Slam bagel on grass.

The game begins in Toronto on Monday and in Cincinnati on August 16.

Hard court events traditionally serve as the two main adjustments before the US Open, the last grand slam of the year that is scheduled to begin in New York on August 30.

Federer is a seven-time champion in Cincinnati and has won two titles in Canada.

But their withdrawal from both has cast serious doubts on their participation in the US Open, leaving fans shattered.

Roger Federer’s horrendous injury streak

Other players whose retirements from Toronto were announced Thursday were Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev, Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini, Canadian Milos Raonic and Spain’s Pablo Carreño Busta.

Novak Djokovic retired last month before his first match at the Olympics.

Arthur Ashe Stadium was the scene of an epic run of five consecutive US Open titles for Federer from 2004 to 2008.

He reached the final again in 2009 only to lose in five sets to Juan Martín del Potro.

He has reached the final of the US Open only once since then, losing to Djokovic in the 2015 championship match.

The story continues

Federer had two operations on his right knee in 2020 and spent more than a year between matches.

He returned to action at the French Open in late May and then retired after three wins, saying he wanted to be rested and ready for the grass circuit, especially Wimbledon.

–
–
–

When later posted on social media that he would miss the Olympics, Federer wrote: “I have already started rehab hoping to return to tour later this summer.”

Federer, currently ranked number 9 in the world, is on the same level as Djokovic and Rafa Nadal in 20 career grand slam titles, with Djokovic heavily favored to reach 21st at the US Open.

World number one Djokovic will also attempt to complete the first men’s grand slam of the calendar year since Rod Laver in 1969.

with agencies

Watch ‘Mind Games’, Yahoo Sport Australia’s new series that explores the often brutal mental work that elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest and greatest stories from Australia and around the world.

–
–
–

–