Roger Federer will not play in the French Open in order to prolong his career
Roger Federer has pulled out of the French Open.
Unfortunately, I won't be playing
rolandgarros</a> this year. I'll miss my fans in France, but appreciate your support <a href="https://t.co/vRcb4SvQga">https://t.co/vRcb4SvQga</a></p>— Roger Federer (
rogerfederer) May 15, 2017
The Swiss said he feels he needs to avoid playing on clay this season in order to prolong his career.
The 35-year-old defied logic to lift his 18th grand slam title at the Australian Open in January after being out of tennis for six months.
But will be absent from the Roland Garros tournament, which starts on May 28, for the second year running after missing last year’s competition through injury.
Federer has a single French Open title, but has won seven times on Wimbledon’s grass.
This year’s tournament starts on July 3.