After Roger Federer, Lucas Pouille Announces Sad News Ahead of Australian Open 2021

Everyone was shocked as Roger Federer withdrew from the Australian Open 2021. Federer had fallen behind in his preparations and thus had to withdraw from the Grand Slam. Now, former World No.10 and semifinalist at the Australian Open, Lucas Pouille has also withdrawn from the Aussie Open in favor of playing the ATP challenger tournaments to aid his recovery after missing months of action due to surgery.

In a statement from Pouille, the player after consultation with his team has decided to withdraw from the Aussie Open. The French player is looking ahead towards a gradual return to the tour.

“In agreement with his team, he has indeed decided to make a gradual recovery in order to best ensure his rise to power after long months away from the circuit.” 

(The statement has been translated via Google)

Who replaces Lucas Pouille at Australian Open 2021?

23-year-old Kamil Majchrzak will replace Pouille in the main draw of the Australian Open 2021. The Polish player will make his second Australian Open appearance and he is ranked 98th.

Pouille almost missed the whole of 2020 due to injury. Earlier this year, he had undergone elbow surgery, which meant a long period on the sidelines.

Pouille, who is now ranked 70th, had his breakthrough season in 2019. He reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2019, but injuries hampered his 2020. He had his elbow surgery in July and was optimistic of returning at the latter part of the season. But he decided not to return and thus ended his 2020 season.

Now to reach his optimum levels, Pouille is eyeing a couple of ATP challenger tournaments before playing any of the big tournaments.

Roger Federer delays his comeback

Earlier today, Federer’s agent had revealed that the player won’t be ready for the Aussie Open. The past month there were various speculations around the delay in his recovery from the knee surgeries he had earlier this year.

Federer himself labeled it as a race against time and has now decided he has run out of time to make a comeback in Australia. His fans will be utterly disappointed, and tennis lovers across the globe will be hoping to see Federer back in action sooner rather than later.

Read More: ATP Unhappy with Australian Open 2021, Says Dominic Thiem’s Manager