Roger Federer withdraws from Miami Open and will not defend title

The four-time Miami Open champion Roger Federer will not defend the title he won in Florida in 2019, withdrawing from the season's inaugural Masters 1000 event that starts on March 24.

The 39-year-old Swiss hasn't played since the last year's Australian Open due to a knee injury and two surgeries, making his return in Doha next week and planning to compete in Dubai seven days later if everything goes right.

After that, Roger will return to Europe ahead of the clay season, opting not to travel to the USA and defend the Miami crown he won two years ago.

Roger's 28th and so far the last Masters 1000 crown came against John Isner at Hard Rock Stadium, beating the American 6-1, 6-4 in 64 minutes. Thus, Federer will lose those 1000 points, hoping to collect them again during the clay swing or his beloved grass in June and July.

Miami 2019 was Roger Federer's 50 Masters 1000 final, playing on a high level from start to finish against Isner and securing four breaks that carried him over the finish line.