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Roger Federer suffers unwanted 21-year first after injury

Roger Federer is pictured during the Australian Open.
A 20-year run of ATP glory for Roger Federer has been snapped, thanks to early season surgery and the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

In many ways, 2020 has proven to simply not be Roger Federer’s year.

The Swiss maestro went under the knife in February, hoping surgery on his troublesome right knee would leave him in prime condition to make a run at the grasscourt swing in June and July.

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Federer’s surgery ruled him out of the French Open, but weeks after his surgery the entire tennis calendar was thrown into chaos thanks to the global outbreak of the coronavirus.

Both the French Open and Wimbledon have been cancelled, while players are divided as to whether the US Open should go ahead, considering the host nation has been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus.

The result? A 21-year first that Federer will be none too pleased about.

Thanks to the combination of his knee surgery and the global pandemic, 2020 will mark the first time in 20 years that Federer will not have progressed to an ATP Final.

Federer holds the record for the most consecutive years reaching an ATP final, having made one every year since 1999 - beating Jimmy Connors’ record of 19 consecutive appearances.

Rafael Nadal (17), as well as Ivan Lendl and Gael Monfils (16 respectively) are Federer’s nearest competitors.

Roger Federer is pictured hugging fans after the Match in Africa in February 2020.
Roger Federer hugs the kids after the Match in Africa between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at Cape Town Stadium in February, 2020. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Tennis greats test positive for COVID-19

Viktor Troicki has become the third tennis player to contract coronavirus after playing at Novak Djokovic’s controversial Adria Tour tennis event.

Djokovic is copping widespread condemnation after organising the charity event, which took place in Serbia and Croatia over the last two weekends.

The tournament was held in Belgrade and Zadar, with the players pictured playing basketball and dancing together without following social distancing protocols - although they did not break any government protocols.

Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and now Troicki have all tested positive for coronavirus after taking part in the event.

Djokovic’s own coronavirus test results will be revealed late on Tuesday evening (AEST) after which he will address the public, Serbian media reported on Monday.

Australian star Nick Kyrgios condemned the decision to hold Djokovic’s charity event.

Kyrgios took to Twitter on Monday night to remind fellow professionals, in his own blunt way, that the COVID-19 pandemic that has shut down tennis is not to be taken lightly.

“Boneheaded decision to go ahead with the 'exhibition',” he posted.

“Speedy recovery fellas, but that's what happens when you disregard all protocols. This IS NOT A JOKE.”