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Roger Federer is likely to miss the Australian Open, but his resignation is not imminent, says coach | Australian Open

Roger Federer will almost certainly miss the Australian Open for the second year in a row, with the Swiss maestro reportedly slowly recovering from a third round of knee surgery in 18 months. But Federer’s longtime coach Ivan Ljubicic has downplayed fears that the tennis world has seen the last of the 20-time Grand Slam champion, who turned 40 in August.

Federer has only played 13 games in 2021 and not a single one since losing a quarter-final to Polish youngster Hubert Hurkacz in July. The six-time Open Champion’s final four-month layoff comes after spending a year on the sidelines after his record-breaking 15th semi-final  -pearance at Melbourne Park in 2020.

“It is very unlikely that Roger Federer will play the Australian Open. He’s 40 and he’s not recovering as quickly as he was before. But he wants to compete again and will not suddenly retire, ”Ljubicic told Sky Sport TV on Sunday. “We will be able to see Roger again next year. I don’t know exactly when, but he is being rehabilitated. He is slowly recovering, he is in no hurry. “

Federer’s expected absence is not a surprise, but a heavy blow for the Open officials who had hoped that the “big three” of Federer, Rafael Nadal and nine-time champion Novak Djokovic would all be in Melbourne for at least one last time. Nadal last week signaled his intention to be in Melbourne after his own injury battles in 2021, while Djokovic’s participation remains uncertain.

The world’s number one has yet to commit to another title defense in January after refusing to publicly disclose her vaccination status. Victoria’s Prime Minister Daniel Andrews insists that only fully vaccinated players – and fans – be admitted to Melbourne Park for the first major of the season. Federer played a record of 21 consecutive opens from 2000 to 2020 and has a remarkable record of 102-15 wins at the tournament.

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