Roger Federer has announced he will miss French Open
World No 5 won his only French Open title at Roland Garros in 2009
Tuesday 23 May 2017 15:37, UK
Roger Federer has announced that he won't play in the French Open in order to prolong his career and will instead prepare for Wimbledon.
The Swiss legend, who defied logic to lift his 18th major title at the Australian Open in January after being out of tennis for six months, will be absent from the clay-court event, which starts on May 28, for the second year running after missing last year's tournament through injury.
Federer posted an open letter entitled "Roger to skip Roland Garros" on his website on Monday and explained his absence from Paris was part of his bid to "try and play on the ATP World Tour for many years to come".
"Regrettably, I've decided not to participate in the French Open," said the 35-year-old.
The start to the year has been magical for me but I need to recognise that scheduling will be the key to my longevity moving forward
"I've been working really hard, both on and off the court, during the last month but in order to try and play on the ATP World Tour for many years to come, I feel it's best to skip the clay-court season this year and prepare for the grass and hard-court seasons," added Federer, who won his sole Roland Garros title in 2009.
"The start to the year has been magical for me but I need to recognise that scheduling will be the key to my longevity moving forward.
"Thus, my team and I concluded today that playing just one event on clay was not in the best interest of my tennis and physical preparation for the remainder of the season."
Federer also completed the unique Indian Wells and Miami Open double, but will have skipped the entire clay season in preparation for Wimbledon where he will be aiming to win his eighth title and first since 2012.
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