SPORTS
Serena Williams' wait for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title goes on after she was beaten 6-3 7-5 by an inspired Elena Rybakina.
Former world number one Roger Federer, who is targeting a record 21st Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, withdrew from the French Open on Sunday, a day after winning a tough third-round match, opting to save himself for the grass-court season.
"After discussions with my team, I decided that I should withdraw from the French Open today," Federer said in a statement released by the French Tennis Federation.
"After two knee operations and more than a year of rehabilitation, it's important that I listen to my body and not rush back into competition," the 39-year-old Swiss added.
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) June 6, 2021
Federer, who has hardly played in the last 17 months because of a knee injury, suffered physically in his four-set, late-night victory over German Dominik Koepfer on Saturday and decided to end his Roland Garros campaign ahead of what would have been a punishing fourth-round match against Italian Matteo Berrettini.
He had said after Saturday's match that he was pondering whether to participate in the second week of the claycourt Grand Slam as his season goal was Wimbledon, the grass-court major starting on June 28.
"We go through these matches... we analyse them highly and look at what's next and we'll do the same tonight and tomorrow," he said.
"Because I need to decide if I keep on playing or not, or is it not too much risk at this moment to keep pushing, or is this just a perfect way to just take a rest."
Tournament director Guy Forget said: "The French Open is sorry to see Roger Federer withdraw from the tournament but he put up a great fight last night.
"We were all delighted to see him back in Paris, where he played three top-level matches. We wish him all the best for the rest of the season."
PRESS RELEASE#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/dYgPxLvovR
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 6, 2021
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander said Federer's decision made sense as the eight-time Wimbledon champion had more chance to succeed on grass.
"It proves that it’s a long-term project for him to come back. For me, that’s good news because it shows he’s going to be around for a bit longer," Wilander, a tennis expert for Eurosport, said.
"Obviously, he got the matches that he needed and he wanted. The main period for him over the years is the grass-court season –- he obviously enjoys all the Grand Slams and different surfaces but the grass comes so naturally to him and that’s where he has had the most success.
"So, yes, obviously perfect for him. I think it’s absolutely perfect preparation."
Serena Williams' wait for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title goes on after the American was beaten 6-3 7-5 by an inspired Elena Rybakina in the French Open fourth round on Sunday.
From the moment the 21-year-old Rybakina, playing in only her seventh Grand Slam main draw, held her opening two service games without dropping a point, Williams looked in peril.
And so it proved as seventh seed Williams bowed out to add yet another twist to a wildly unpredictable women's event.
With so many big names having fallen, including Victoria Azarenka early in the day, a prospective quarter-final opponent for Williams, the path to the final looked enticing.
But Williams, whose last Grand Slam title came in 2017 at the Australian Open, was unable to find her A-game.
The Rise of Rybakina
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 6, 2021
Growing up watching Serena on TV, the 21-year-old stuck to her game plan to complete the upset and break new ground #RolandGarros
She remained philosophical in defeat, however, saying that her expectations coming into the tournament had not been high.
"I'm in a much better place than when I got here," the American told reporters.
"You know, I was just literally trying to win a match because it had been a really difficult season for me on the clay. Although I love the clay, I was, like, if I could just win a match. That's kind of where I was kind of coming in."
Indian Railways: Train late, AC not working? Know step-by-step how to file TDR to claim a refund
Video: Khan sir organises reception of his 'secret' wedding for 50,000 JEE, NEET students, watch
Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom 4 mission launch today: When and where to watch
Neeraj Chopra does it again, wins Javelin Throw title at Ostrava Golden Spike 2025
DNA TV Show: Why is Diljit Dosanjh facing backlash over his film Sardaarji 3 starring Hania Aamir?
Sitaare Zameen Par box office collection day 5: Aamir Khan film beats Sunny Deol's Jaat, earns Rs...
IND vs ENG: This England batter achieve historic Test milestone after Alastair Cook, his name is...
Raid 2 OTT release date: When, where to watch Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh-starrer crime thriller
HAL chief reveals reason behind delay in Tejas aircraft delivery: 'Jets ready but...'
Meet K Kamini Maheswari, DRDO scientist, who is powering India’s indigenous combat systems
India's 1 lakh tonnes basmati rice shipments stuck at ports due to...
Rinku Singh wedding with Priya Saroj gets postponed? Know the real reason
Mani Ratnam breaks silence on Kamal Haasan-starrer Thug Life box office failure: 'It was never...'
India's most unaffordable city, where even rich need 109 years to buy home, it is...
Gautam Adani, India's 2nd richest man, reveals BIG plan to invest USD 15-20 billion across...
McDonald's in soup: Why Americans boycotting multinational fast-food giant?
Donald Trump loses cool after Israel-Iran ceasefire falls apart: 'They don’t know...'
Good news for EPFO members as govt hikes auto-claim limit to Rs…; check details
Zak Crawley-Ben Duckett's partnership breaks this 76-year-old world record at Headingley
Little Pepe Price Prediction: Will LILPEPE Be the First Meme Coin to Permanently Overtake Dogecoin?
Tanvi The Great: A true cinematic masterpiece
MLA Aditi Singh to be Guest of Honour at DNA Women Achievers Awards 2025
Who is Sudha Singh? Know everything about Asian Games gold medalist
Meet Ritu Narang, who helps people struggling with addiction, also Art of Living Yoga teacher
India to challenge China on rare earth magnets, soon to announce schemes for...
Meet 'Kashi Ki Didi' Ranjubala Singh brings smiles on faces of underprivileged children
Who is Arunima Sinha? A look at the inspiring story of distinguished mountaineer
BIG move by Tata Group firm as it teams up with Japanese company to install India's first...
Annadata Sukhibhava Status 2025: How to Check Your Name on List
From Sikar to Screens: How Piyush Agarwal Wove KCPC Bandhani into a Household Name
Padma Shri folk singer Malini Awasthi to grace DNA Women Achievers Awards 2025 as guest of honour
Uttar Pradesh Dy CM Brajesh Pathak set to be chief guest at DNA Women Achievers Awards 2025
Air India's London-Mumbai flight cabin crew, 5 passengers fall ill mid-air due to...
Why did Iran and Israel agree to ceasefire? What role did Donald Trump play?
Meet Versha Verma, Lucknow-based judo player and poet who cremates unclaimed bodies for free