Roger Federer (Photo : Getty Images)
Roger Federer admitted he was sad about not competing at the French Open, but the Swiss Maestro vowed to be back in tennis action once he overcomes the setback that halted his consecutive Grand Slam streak.
Federer has never missed participating in a Grand Slam event, but this year's edition of Roland Garros was an exception. After deliberately keeping his health and form intact just in time for the Second Grand Slam event of the year, Federer ruled himself out of the tournament due to an injury the 34-year-old refused to cite.
"This decision was not easy to make, but I took it to ensure I could play the remainder of the season and help to extend the rest of my career. I remain as motivated and excited as ever and my plan is to achieve the highest level of fitness before returning to the ATP World Tour for the upcoming grass court season," Federer wrote on his official Facebook page.
Federer missing the French Open was a bit of a sad news for his fans around the world, much more for Federer himself, who admitted on his official Twitter account he is unhappy skipping Roland Garros for the first time since 1998. However, the 14-time Grand Slam winner is still positive he will be back in tennis action to pursue his goal of adding another major title in his all-time record.
Sad to have left Paris. I've played pic.twitter.com/uUwdCwmKgp
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) May 24, 2016
The season has not been too friendly for Federer, who underwent knee surgery to repair a meniscal tear on his left knee suffered a day after his Australian Open loss to career rival Novak Djokovic. Federer also sustained a slight back problem that kept him from competing in Madrid, although the world No. 3 insisted it was something he could handle.
While Federer did not exactly elaborate the nature of his injury that caused him to miss the French Open, many believe it was the back problem he suffered in the Spanish capital, which may have also contributed to his lackluster performance at the Italian Open after losing against Austrian Dominic Thiem in Round of 16 of the event.
Meanwhile, according to the schedule posted in Federer's official website, the Swiss is set to return in tennis action in Stuttgart, opening his grass-court campaigns heading into Wimbledon, where he won most eight Grand Slam titles.
Considering Federer's history in Church Road, it is probably the tournament where he could make an astounding comeback from his losing slump this seasons, but Federer must ensure first he remains healthy competing in tournaments leading-up to the third Grand Slam event of the year.
