Federer pulls out of Dubai tournament due to knee surgery

DUBAI - Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer decided on Wednesday to skip this year's Dubai Duty Free (DDF) Tennis Championship following knee surgery to repair torn meniscus, Dubai daily Gulf news reported on Wednesday.

Switzerland's Roger Federer reacts during his semi-final match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, in this January 28, 2016 file photo.  [Photo/Agencies]

The 34-year old Swiss tennis star suffered the injury last week when he ended in the semi-finals last at this year's first Grand Slam tournament in Australia. The 17-time grand slam champion said in a statement that the surgery will keep him away from the court for up to a month and expressed disappointment, Dubai daily Gulf News reported.

Federer who owns a house in Dubai won the Dubai Duty will miss the upcoming Dubai tournament which runs from February 17 to 25 for the first time in six years. In the last two editions, Federer won against his rival Novak Djokovic in 2014 and 2015.
Federer will probably return to the court of the Indian Wells Masters, which start from March 7, the Abu Dhabi daily The National reported.