Paris (AFP)

Roger Federer, who is trying to return to the highest level after a double right knee operation in 2020, announced on Sunday that he was giving up playing his round of 16 at Roland Garros scheduled for Monday against Matteo Berrettini, according to the organizers.

"After discussing with my team, I decided that I had to withdraw from the Roland-Garros tournament today (Sunday, editor's note). After two knee operations and more than a year of rehabilitation, it is important that I listen to my body and don't go too fast in the return to competition. I am delighted to have won three games. There is no better feeling than to be back on the field. " , said the Swiss, quoted in a press release from the French Tennis Federation (FFT), which organizes the tournament.

On the night of Saturday to Sunday, Federer had fought 3.35 behind closed doors to eliminate the German Dominik Koepfer (59th) 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7 / 4), 7-5.

"The Roland-Garros tournament is sorry for the withdrawal of Roger Federer, who fought a magnificent fight last night. We were all delighted with his return to Paris where he played three high-level matches. We wish him the best for the continuation of the season, "said tournament director Guy Forget in the FFT press release.

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The former world No. 1 today, 8th had hinted just after this match that he was not sure of playing this round of 16.

The prospect, in case of victory against Berrettini, would have been to play against Djokovic in the quarters, or even Nadal in the semi-finals.

"I don't know if I'm going to play," he said.

"I have to decide whether to keep playing or not. Isn't it too risky to keep shooting (on the knee), isn't it a good time to rest?" questioned at a press conference, in reference to the Halle tournament which begins on June 14 and will launch its grass season.

Returning to competition in March, after two right knee operations in 2020, the Swiss who will celebrate his 40th birthday in August has made Wimbledon his priority objective.

"Every game I have to reassess the situation and see the next morning in what state I wake up and how my knee is doing. It may be even more true after a game as long as it is today." , said the former world No. 1 today 8th.

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At almost 40 years old, Federer nevertheless savored his victory in the 3rd round and more generally his career at Roland Garros which is the only Grand Slam tournament where he has won only once (2009).

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