The 2022 Australian Open is a Grand Slam tennis event that will take place from January 17 through January 30, 2022, at Melbourne Park. The Australian Open will be held for the 110th time, the 54th time in the Open Era, and it will be the year's first Grand Slam.

In Men's Singles and Women's Singles, respectively, Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka are the reigning champions. Djokovic's Australian visa was denied by the Australian Border Force when he entered the nation on January 5, 2022, and he might not be allowed to defend his championship.

Several other male and female tennis players are set to miss the Australian Open, and veteran star and six-time tournament champion, Roger Federer is of them. Here you will find out why the 40-year-old Swiss tennis player is out of this competition.

Roger Federer out of the 2022 Australian Open

Roger Federer will not compete in the 2022 Australian Open as he recovers from the third round of knee surgery in the last 18 months. The Swiss legend was unable to compete and was eventually forced to withdraw from the 2021 Australian Open due to the same issue but was able to return in time for Wimbledon.

However, he took further time off after a straight-set loss 3-0 (3-6, 6-7, 0-6) in the Wimbledon Quarter-Finals in June 2021 against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland. Having featured in 13 matches last year, he underwent another knee surgery in August, as a result of an injury sustained during the grass-court season.

The 40-year-old stated last December that he will miss the Australian Open for the second year in a row while he recovers from further surgery:  “I need to be very patient and give my knee the time to heal. The next few months will be crucial. My ambition is to see what I am capable of one last time. I also wish I could say goodbye in my own way and on a tennis court. That is why I am giving my all in my rehabilitation."