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Roger Federer withdrew from the French Open on Sunday to give himself a chance to recover after emerging from a tight third-round victory that lasted about 3 1/2 hours. The books had Federer at around 66-1 odds to win this year's Open.
"After two knee surgeries and over a year of rehabilitation it's important that I listen to my body and make sure I don't push myself too quickly on my road to recovery," the 20-time Grand Slam champion said in a statement released by the French tennis federation. "I am thrilled to have gotten 3 matches under my belt. There is no greater feeling than being back on court."
Federer had made clear last month that he did not see himself as ready to contend for the French Open title this time, though there were sure to be plenty of future wagers on him.
His departure comes just days after Japanese player Naomi Osaka pulled out of the French Open after organisers threatened to expel her for not honouring media commitments.
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
