Roger Federer is fine physically, but he didn't like Melbourne quarantine

As we all know, the 20-time Major champion Roger Federer will not compete at the upcoming Australian Open, staying on the practice court and skipping the strict Melbourne bubble.

Andre Sa, who works at Tennis Australia, said he spoke with Roger in December, and it was clear that the Swiss didn't like the Melbourne bubble rules. In one scenario, Federer would have gone to Melbourne alone, staying away from his family for around a month. In the other, he would have brought them with him, but in that case, Mirka and the kids would have had to stay locked in the hotel room for days. That also wasn't an option for the veteran at this time of his career and following such a long break.

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"The main reason for Roger's withdrawal was the quarantine. I talked to him a month ago, and he had two options. He could come with the whole family and quarantine. The problem is that Roger's wife Mirka, and their children, couldn't leave the room. They would have to stay 14 days in the room. The exception is only for players. Roger could go out, train, and come back, but the family couldn't. Mirka didn't like that idea.

The other option would be for him to go to Melbourne alone. In that case, there would be at least five weeks away from family and children. And then he said, 'Dude, 39, four kids, 20 Grand Slams. I am no longer in time to be away from my family for five weeks,'" Andre Sa said.