After withdrawing from the Miami Open due to a stomach virus, Roger Federer is expected to stick with his original plan of making a comeback at the ATP 1000 Monte Carlo Masters.
Federer has left his fans waiting and wanting more about when the Swiss Maestro will finally come back to play his first competitive tennis match after recovering from a knee injury.
Federer withdrew at the Miami Open due to a stomach virus in what should have been an early comeback post his knee surgery recuperation. The 34-year-old was not pleased with his unfortunate exit at the event, where he would have fought against Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro in Round of 64.
"I am very sorry that I have to pull out of the Miami Open with a stomach virus," Federer said, reports the ATP's official website. "I feel bad for the tournament and the fans as I have rarely ever had to withdraw at such short notice. I was really excited to have my comeback in Miami but I am in no condition to play."
The good news about Federer's unexpected exit is his surgically repaired knee coming unharmed at the tournament. With roughly another two weeks on the shelves, the 17-time Grand Slam winner could rest his knee just in time for the clay-court season and Roland Garros.
Meanwhile, fans were excited to witness Federer in action after the Swiss was sidelined for more than a month following a knee surgery that repaired his torn left meniscus suffered a day after his Australian open semifinal loss against career rival Novak Djokovic.
But apparently, Federer fanatics were not the only ones thrilled of his supposed return, with Djokovic admitting about looking forward to play the world No. 3 before the incident happened.
"It's great to have Roger back," Djokovic said. "He hasn't played a couple of years in Miami."
"He had the injury after the Australian Open that prevented him from playing in Dubai and Indian Wells. But he's such an important player for our sport, everything that he has achieved in his life, his tennis career."