Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
TOM DUTTON

Roger Federer ruled out of French Open after undergoing surgery on knee injury

Roger Federer hopes to return in time for the grass-court season after undergoing surgery on a knee injury which has been giving him trouble for "a little while".

The 20-time Grand Slam champion reached the semi-final of the Australian Open last month before losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.

Federer, who has previously opted out of the French Open to better prepare himself for the grass, has this year been forced off the clay courts as he recovers from surgery ahead of another crack at Wimbledon.

Federer, 38, wrote on Twitter: "My right knee has been bothering me for a little while.

"I hoped it would go away but after an examination, and discussion with my team, I decided to have an arthroscopic surgery in Switzerland yesterday.

Federer, who won his solitary Roland Garros title in 2009, continued: "After the procedure, the doctors confirmed that it was the right thing to have done and are very confident of a full recovery.

"As a result, I will unfortunately have to miss Dubai, Indian Wells, Bogota, Miami and the French Open.

Federer's run to the Australian Open semi-final was ended by Novak Djokovic (Getty Images)

"I am grateful for everyone's support. I can't wait to be back playing again soon, see you on the grass!"

Additional reporting by PA

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.