Four-time champ of the BNP Paribas Open Roger Federer announced on Friday that he will not be playing the tournament this year because of a knee injury. So, why even have the tournament this year?
Federer, winner of the tournament in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2012, made the announcement on Facebook:
The Rehab for my knee is going really well! I have now had a lot of great practices on the court and in the gym. As it…
Posted by Roger Federer on Friday, February 26, 2016
The tournament responded with a tweet:
Wishing @rogerfederer a speedy recovery as he's unable to play #BNPPO16. We'll miss you, Rog! See you in IW in 2017 pic.twitter.com/KKur0hVyw6
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) February 26, 2016
And everyone else reacted with tears:
Though it sucks fans in The Coachella Valley will not get a chance to see him, we do hope Federer makes a a full and speedy recovery.
The tournament, surprisingly, will still go on. It starts on March 7th.
(h/t Desert Sun)
