Shock injury blow threatens Federer's French Open hopes

Roger Federer has withdrawn from the Italian Open.

The Swiss maestro cited a right leg injury as the reason behind his withdrawal from his match against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

New York Times tennis reporter Christopher Clarey reported that Federer had found part of the court ’dangerous’ during his match against Borna Coric.

Federer played his first tournament on clay in three years when he entered the Madrid Open earlier in May.

With just 10 days between the Italian and French Open tournaments, it remains to be seen whether Federer will be fit enough to contest the biggest clay tournament on the calendar.

The champion player said he was “disappointed” not to have been fit for his match against Greek rival Tsitsipas.

“I am disappointed that I will not be able to compete today,” Federer said in a statement.

“I am not 100% physically and after consultation with my team, it was determined that I not play.

“Rome has always been one of my favourite cities to visit and I hope to be back next year.”

Clarey also queried Federer’s decision to play in three major clay tournaments - Madrid, Rome, and France.

“With the leg injury, have to wonder if it was the right call for Federer to add Rome to his clay-court schedule,” the veteran tennis writer posted on Twitter.

“French Open starts in 10 days. Will need to be fully fit to make a deep run. Got in five matches total before Roland Garros: 3 in Madrid, 2 in Rome.”

Federer back Kyrgios

Roger Federer says Nick Kyrgios does not deserve to be suspended after an extraordinary meltdown saw him disqualified from the Italian Open.

Just hours after an explosive interview with the No Challenges Remaining podcast, where he ripped into Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Fernando Verdasco, the Aussie Kyrgios was kicked out of his second-round clash with Casper Ruud after hurling a chair onto the court.

Ruud later slammed Kyrgios, saying many players on the tour want him banned.

“I think he got what he deserved,” said Ruud of Kyrgios, who will lose $33,635 in prize money from the tournament in addition to 45 ATP points.

“He thinks he can do what he likes.

“It doesn’t seem like anything makes him change these days.

“The ATP should do something. … I’m not the only one who thinks he should be suspended for at least half a year.”

However Federer disagrees, saying the fine, loss of prize money and loss of ATP points is sufficient enough.

“I don’t think he should be suspended,” Federer said in his post-match press conference.

“He walked off the court. What did he do? He hurt a chair? That’s not enough for me.

“I don’t know if he’s on probation or not from his Shanghai thing. If that’s the case, then obviously you can maybe look into it.

“If that’s run its course, I don’t think he should be suspended.”