Sunday, June 6th, 2021
Be careful after reaching the round of 16
Federer withdraws from the French Open
The long match against Dominik Koepfer left its mark on Roger Federer. The 39-year-old is therefore not competing in the round of 16 of the French Open, but allows his body to rest. As great as the joy of the successful return is, so is the caution with one’s own body.
Less than 16 hours after his hard-fought victory against Dominik Koepfer, Roger Federer provided the next piece of news with a bang: The Grand Slam record champion announced his immediate withdrawal from the French Open on Sunday afternoon. Federer, the Swiss “maestro”, will not play his round of 16 out of concern for his knee. Perhaps his last farewell from Paris has potential for discussion.
“After two knee operations and over a year of rehabilitation, it is important that I listen to my body and make sure that I do not overtax myself too quickly on my way to recovery,” said the 39-year-old, according to a press release. “I am thrilled that I’ve played three matches. There’s no greater feeling than being back on the field. “
In the run-up to the classic clay court, Federer had made it clear that he saw the tournament in the French capital primarily as preparation for his actual goal: the grass season and Wimbledon from June 28th. The record winner wants to fight for his ninth title on the sacred turf, to which he subordinates everything and pulls after the Koepfer show of strength, which he took 7: 6 (7: 5), 6: 7 (3: 3: 7), 7: 6 (7: 4), 7: 5 had the consequences.
Koepfer should be even more annoyed
For Federer it was the first major tournament since the Australian Open 2020. As a result, he had two knee operations and had to cope with a laborious rebuilding. In Paris he is now showing that he can still keep up. With his self-chosen exit, the world ranking eighth also intervenes sensitively in the sporting competition. The Italian Matteo Berrettini, seeded in ninth place, moves into the quarter-finals without a fight and saves a lot of energy.
“Roger Federer has earned the nimbus, he is perhaps the most popular player of all time,” said Boris Becker at Eurosport: “With any other player, you would say, how can you throw the head out of the tournament who then has no chance to play the round of 16. ” Federer did not pretend to be injured and pointed out his decision fairly.
The tournament organizers regretted Federer’s withdrawal, it is the next blow for the French Open after the noisy departure of the Japanese Naomi Osaka. “We were all very happy to see Roger back in Paris, where he played three matches at a high level. We wish him all the best for the rest of the season,” said tournament director Guy Forget. Next, Federer wants to serve at the lawn tournament in Halle (Westphalia) in a week. Immediately after the third round match, Federer had indicated that he would not make the last sixteen. “I don’t know if I’ll play,” said the exceptional player. “Is it too risky to put too much strain on the knee? Is it a good time to take a break?”
It is now known what the answer was after talking to his team. And Koepfer should be even more annoyed that he could not use his chances. “Roger is Roger, it’s unbelievable what he’s still doing at 39,” said the 27-year-old from Furtwangen, who only missed his first round of 16 in Paris because of bad nerves. Perhaps Koepfer has nevertheless secured an entry in the history books: as possibly the last opponent of Federer in Paris.
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