Roger Federer announced Sunday on Instagram that he will undergo knee surgery and miss the 2021 US Open. The Swiss, who turned 40 on Aug. 8, said he will be out of action for "many months," though he is holding out hope for a return to the ATP Tour.
Federer reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon earlier this summer, but reaggravated his knee in the process, he explained. The surgery will be his third procedure on his right knee in the past 18 months. He first underwent arthroscopic surgery in February of 2020, then had an additional procedure in May of that year.
“I’ll be on crutches for many weeks and also out of the game for many months," he said, "so it’s going to be difficult of course in some ways. But at the same time, I know it’s the right thing to do because I want to be healthy, I want to be running around later as well again and I want to give myself a glimmer of hope to return to the tour in some shape or form.
“I am realistic, don’t get me wrong. I know how difficult it is at this age right now to do another surgery and try it,” Federer continued. “But I want to be healthy. I will go through the rehab process with a goal while I’m still active, which I think is going to help me during this long period of time.”
The 20-time Grand Slam champ missed more than a year of action as he rehabbed from his previous two surgeries.
A five-time singles champion in New York, Federer last competed at the US Open in 2019, when he reached the quarterfinals. He won his five US Open titles in consecutive years, from 2004-08, and later reached two finals, in 2009 and 2015.
With Federer's withdrawal, Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands moves into the main draw for the 2021 US Open.
