Roger Federer’s long knee-injury absence began catching up with him on Monday, with the Swiss icon falling out of the ranking Top 50 for the first time in more than two decades.
After playing only 13 matches since January 2021 and undergoing multiple right knee medical procedures, the 40-year-old now stands at a personal low point in the table.
Federer’s last match was a losing Wimbledon quarter- final on July 7, 2021 against Hubert Hurkacz with little chance of more to immediately come as of now.
As it stands, the 20-time Grand Slam champion is only planning to play the unofficial Laver Cup in London in September and the October edition of his home ATP event in Basel.
Federer last stood outside the Top 50 on June 5, 2000, back in pre-history before the rise of rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the era when Andre Agassi roamed the Tour as No. 1.
Federer remained inside the Top 50 for 1,148 consecutive weeks until Monday.
Main photo:- Roger Federer after losing in fourth round at Wimbledon 2021 – by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd