ROGER FEDERER ANNOUNCES ROLAND GARROS TENNIS 2016 WITHDRAWAL, & RAFAEL NADAL IS UP TO NO. 4 SEED

Written by: Staff on 19th May 2016

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

ROGER FEDERER ANNOUNCES ROLAND GARROS TENNIS 2016 WITHDRAWAL, & RAFAEL NADAL IS UP TO NO. 4 SEED

epa04778741 Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Gael Monfils of France during their fourth round match for the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 01 June 2015. EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT |

By Ricky Dimon

Roger Federer withdrew from the French Open on Thursday because of a lingering back injury. It marks the first time since the 1999 U.S. Open that Federer has missed a Grand Slam event. The 34-year-old Swiss took to social media for the announcement, revealing the news via a Facebook post.

“I regret to announce that I have made the decision not to play in this year’s French Open,” Federer wrote. “I have been making steady progress with my overall fitness, but I am still not 100% and feel I might be taking an unnecessary risk by playing in this event before I am really ready. 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. I am sorry for my fans in Paris but I very much look forward to returning to Roland Garros in 2017.”

The withdrawal does not come as a huge shock. It has been an injury-plagued 2016 campaign for the 17-time major champion, who underwent knee surgery right after the Australian Open and missed all of February. He tried to return at the Miami Open but had to pull out due to an illness. Federer also withdrew from the Madrid Masters earlier this month before playing in Rome at well less than 100 percent, which contributed to a loss at the hands of Dominic Thiem.

Rafael Nadal may be the biggest beneficiary of Federer’s absence. Because the draw ceremony has not yet been held (that will take place on Friday morning), the fifth-ranked Spaniard will move up to the No. 4 seed. As such, Nadal cannot face world No. 1 Novak Djokovic until at least the semifinals.

Other beneficiaries include Milos Raonic (up to the No. 8 seed), David Goffin (13th to 12th), John Isner (17th to 16th), Jack Sock (25th to 24th), and Federico Delbonis (now the final seed at No. 32).

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina during their third round match for the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 29 May 2015. EPA/YOAN VALAT

Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Marcel Granollers of Spain during their second round match for the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 27 May 2015. EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns to Ernests Gulbis of Latvia in their fourth round match during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 01 June 2014. EPA/YOAN VALAT

Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Gael Monfils of France during their fourth round match for the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 01 June 2015. EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT