Swiss tennis great Roger Federer will miss the rest of the 2020 season due to an ongoing issue with his right knee.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion underwent the knife in February, but his rehabilitation has not gone according to plan, meaning he won't return to action until next year.
"A few weeks ago, having experienced a setback during my initial rehabilitation, I had to have an additional quick arthroscopic procedure on my right knee," Federer said in a tweet.
"Now, much like I did leading up to the 2017 season, I plan to take necessary time to be 100 percent ready to play at my highest level."
The 38-year-old's last match was a straight-set defeat in the Australian Open semifinal against Novak Djokovic in January.
Federer timed his initial surgery to perfection, as it coincided with the coronavirus outbreak and he did not miss any events.
There were hopes the 19-time Grand Slam winner would return for the US Open and French Open later this year.
But he will now sit out those final major tournament - if they go ahead - and attempt to return at the Australian Open in 2021.
