Federer withdrawn from Miami Open due to stomach virus

Roger Federer's return from knee surgery has been delayed by a stomach virus.

Federer was scheduled to play Friday for the first time in nearly two months at the Miami Open, but he withdrew shortly before the match because of the illness, which he has been battling for several days.

''I feel bad for the tournament and the fans, as I have rarely ever had to withdraw at such short notice,'' Federer said in a statement. ''I have not felt great for a few days, and unfortunately it got worse in the last 24 hours. I was really excited to have my comeback in Miami but am in no condition to play. I tried to warm up this morning, but it was clear that I could not compete.''

Federer has been sidelined since undergoing arthroscopic surgery February 3 to repair torn cartilage in his left knee. The 2005-06 Key Biscayne champion hasn't played in the tournament since 2014.

''It's obvious that a tournament with Roger is always better,'' said Rafael Nadal, who plays his opening match Saturday. ''It's good that it's a stomach problem and at the same time it is not the knee, so it's not a big deal. But it's obvious that it's terrible news for the tournament.''

Federer's return will now likely be on clay next month at Monte Carlo Masters. He was replaced in the Key Biscayne draw by lucky loser Horacio Zeballos, who faced Juan Martin del Potro in the second round.

Date: 25 March 2016, Source: AP

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Federer back from knee surgery with low expectations

Roger Federer returns from a eight-week layoff following left knee surgery at the Miami Open with low expectations and uncertainty over how his repaired meniscus will perform.

The 34-year-old Swiss star, winner of a record 17 Grand Slam singles titles, spent 12 days on crutches and has had only nine full training days ahead of his opener against familiar Argentine foe Juan Martin Del Potro.

Federer will take a 15-5 ATP Head to Head record into his match with del Potro in their first meeting since 2013. Federer won the first six meetings in their rivalry before the Argentine claimed his career-changing US Open final win over the Swiss in 2009.

"Expectations are really low, which is nice for a change. I didn't expect myself to be back here quite honestly after the surgery," Federer said Thursday. "I'm excited. I'm curious how it's going to react, is it going to be different day-to-day, how is it going to feel after the match and so forth.

"I like Juan Martin. We've had good matches over the years, Paris, five sets twice, US Open obviously. It's nice to see him back. I haven't seen him play at all since he's been back, so I'm not quite sure what to expect, even though my coach went to see his match yesterday. At the end I'm going to focus on my own game tomorrow... managing my problems that I've had the last few months. Just also enjoy it out there.

"We're both in a similar situation. His injury was much, much greater. That's why I'm really pleased for him that he was able to find a way back onto the tour."

Federer made it clear he would take no chances if something feels wrong during a match.

"If I feel something in the knee I won't play. Simple as that," he said.

Del Potro said of facing Federer: "I’m going to try to play my best tennis against Roger. We are both coming off injuries but I think it will be a really good match and will have fun on the court."

Federer and del Potro are scheduled during the day session Friday, third match on centre court.

Date: 24 March 2016, Source: AFP and ATP

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Bath mishap led Federer to knee surgery

Roger Federer has given the first detailed account of his recent knee injury, surgery and rehab ahead of his opening-round match at the Miami Open. Federer revealed Thursday that the arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus was performed on his left knee. He also outlined how the freak injury happened.

Federer is set to play his first tournament since the Australian Open Friday in Miami, when he takes on former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, who himself is on the comeback trail from wrist surgery.

Federer said that the innocuous accident happened as he was running a bath for his twin daughters. As he turned from his right to his left and shifted his weight to his left foot, Federer felt something ‘click’ in his left knee. He continued with a planned family trip to the zoo even though his leg was swollen. Upon returning home to Switzerland he immediately had an MRI, which led to the February 3 surgery.

“I remember I turned, I felt my knee was funny, I turned back. That's when I heard a click,” Federer said. “I did feel that something was strange in my knee. Very simple movement, probably a movement I've done a million times in my life for sure.

“When I got the news that I had to have the operation I saw the pictures and talked to my doctor and knew that it was the only way out of this one. In the hospital, when I was about to go into the operating room, that’s when I got nervous and sad about it all.  When I woke up and looked at my knee it was like ‘This doesn’t feel like my leg. I can’t believe I did the operation and I hope it will come back from here.’ That’s when I got scared.

“Then literally one day, two days later I had no more pain. I realised I could already move my leg again. You learn how to walk on crutches and all that, which I'd done once before in 2005 when I tore the ligaments in my foot….. It's baby steps. Still at the same time you go from crutches to walking to running to jumping to sprinting. It's pretty incredible to see the progress I've been able to make in a short period of time.”

Federer was on crutches for 12 days and only resumed full training nine days ago. Despite missing key events in Rotterdam, Dubai and Indian Wells, Federer said that he savoured the extra time at home.

“It sounds weird, but I kind of enjoyed the process of improving every day. I had a positive mindset. We worked two to three times a day. We were in Switzerland for five straight weeks, which is rare for us to be in one place, especially our home for so long. Enjoyed everything about it… nothing to do other than rehabbing and spending time with the family. It was a really nice process. Never had any setbacks. That was very crucial that I'm here today.”

Date: 24 March 2016, Source: ATP

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Federer to return from surgery at next week's Miami Open

Roger Federer is to make an earlier than expected return from knee surgery at the Miami Open in Key Biscayne next week.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion had arthroscopic surgery on February 3 to repair a meniscus he tore the day after his Australian Open semifinal defeat to Novak Djokovic. He skipped tournaments at Rotterdam, Dubai, and Indian Wells. He had hinted he would return to the tour at the Monte Carlo tournament in April.

But he decided to get back to action in Key Biscayne. Federer posted an emoji-filled Tweet on Thursday morning that included an airplane, American flag, orange, sun, palm tree, dolphin, beach, sunglasses, tennis ball, thumbs up and @MiamiOpen.

His agent, Tony Godsick, confirmed that Federer is headed to South Florida and plans to play the tournament, which runs March 23 through April 3.

“Roger’s very excited to return to Miami. He’s always enjoyed playing the tournament, and he looks forward to getting back out on the court after his knee surgery. He’s been practicing very well the last few days with no setbacks so he’s looking forward to seeing the fans in Miami next week.”

“We are thrilled Roger is making his return to tennis here in Miami,” tournament director Adam Barrett said in a released statement. “Our fans will be ecstatic to see the 17-time Grand Slam and two-time Miami Open champion in person.”

Federer skipped Miami in 2013 and 2015, but played here in 2014.

Date: 17 March 2016, Source: Miami Herald

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Roger Federer attends Oscars in Hollywood

Roger Federer stepped out onto the red carpet at the 88th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on Sunday.

The Swiss later spent time at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, which was attended by Leonardo DiCaprio, winner of the best actor Oscar for his performance in The Revenant, Anne Hathaway, Amy Adams, Eddie Redmayne, fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and former World No. 1 John McEnroe. Federer wore a tuxedo and shoes made by Louis Vuitton.

On Saturday night, Federer had attended Harvey Weinstein's star-studded pre-Oscars party at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Federer returned to the practice court last week, having undergone arthroscopic surgery on his knee on 3 February in Switzerland. He will return to court at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters, starting on 10 April.

Photo Gallery - Roger Federer at Oscars 2016

Date: 29 February 2016, Source: ATP

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