Tennis: 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer reveals setback following surgery, set to miss rest of 2020

Roger Federer won't play again this year. Photo / Photosport

Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer has stunned his millions of fans by announcing that he won't be returning to the court this year.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner revealed on Twitter that he had suffered a setback following surgery to his right knee earlier this year.

"Dear Fans (sic), I hope you are staying safe and healthy. A few weeks ago, having experienced a setback during my initial rehabilitation, I had to have an additional quick atrhtroscopic procedure on my right knee.

"Now, much like I did leading up to the 2017 season, I plan to take the necessary time to be 100% ready to play at my highest level.

"I will be missing my fans and the tour dearly but, I will look forward to seeing everyone back on the tour at the start of the 2021 season."

pic.twitter.com/zXnR7gAZQA

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) June 10, 2020

In February, Federer said he expected to miss only four months of action following the surgery to his right knee.

At the time he was hopeful of recovering in time for the grass court season before Wimbledon and the 2020 Olympics.

Fans reacted with disappointment, with many saying the news has added to an already tough 2020.

Someone please cancel this 2020 🙄

— Rahul (@writewiinger) June 10, 2020

Hang in there Roger, you will be back stronger than ever! Keep fighting champ! See you when this hell year is over. #RF2021 👊💪💜

— Ish #RF103 #RForever 🏆🙏 (@crazyfedfan) June 10, 2020

Bad news, @ToniKroos .

— Arancha Rodríguez (@AranchaMOBILE) June 10, 2020

Feel better soon and please come back ❤️ love you so much

— FFT hater 👽👻 (@fedettini) June 10, 2020

Stay safe @rogerfederer! We all are devastated hearing the news and hope that you recover fast! Can wait to see you back on court! Always a legend Roger! pic.twitter.com/RCskcOS4HD

— Yashas Yallapragada (@youryashas) June 10, 2020

Wimbledon has since been cancelled due to the global Covid-19 crisis, while the Tokyo Games have been postponed to next year. Organisers of the French and US Opens are considering ways of staging their respective events.

The latest setback will not do anything to dispel the imminent retirement rumours that have dogged Federer since 2013.

Federer missed the Rio Games and much of the 2016 season due to injuries to his knee and back but returned the following year to complete his most successful season in a decade - including wins at the Australian Open and Wimbledon (his first Slam victories since 2012).

He is currently ranked No 4 in the world, after reaching only one Grand Slam final last year - losing in a five-set thriller to Novak Djokovic in the title-decider at Wimbledon.