Roger Federer has withdrawn from the French Open to protect his body and be able to compete at his most successful Grand Slam: Wimbledon.
The 39-year-old’s decision comes just a day after spending three hours and 39 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier to defeat Dominik Koepfer.
Federer has had two knee surgeries in the past 18 months and the victory over Koepfer was only the sixth match of the Swiss’ return to tennis.
Federer explained his reasoning via a Twitter statement which read: ‘After discussions with my team, I’ve decided I will need to pull out of the French Open today.
‘After two knee surgeries and over a year of rehabilitation it’s important that I listen to my body and make sure I don’t push myself too quickly on my road to recovery.
‘I am thrilled to have gotten three matches under my belt. There is no greater feeling than being back on court, see everyone soon!’
Having withdrawn from the tournament, the Swiss now has three weeks to prepare for Wimbledon, a venue at which he has won a record eight titles.
Action on the court
Daniil Medvedev remained on course to replace Novak Djokovic at the top of the world rankings after another dominant display to defeat Christian Garin in straight-sets.
The Russian had never won a match at Roland Garros prior to this year’s tournament but a 6-2, 6-1, 7-5 victory on Court Suzanne Lenglen means that the world No 2 is just three wins away from reaching the summit of the the sport.
Even a place in the final could be good enough for Medvedev to become the highest ranked player in the world and break the ‘Big Four’s’ 18-year stranglehold on the top spot.
The Russian will face the fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals after the Greek continued his excellent form on clay this season by beating Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 in two hours and eight minutes.
It is the second consecutive Grand Slam that the pair have come face-to-face and there is a an extra edge to the match-up with both players having publicly admitted their dislike for their opponent.
Elsewhere, the sixth seed Alexander Zverev also cruised into the last eight by sweeping past Kei Nishikori in the night session on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The German will face the 22-year-old Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the next round after the Spaniard overcame adversity before defeating Federico Delbonis in four sets to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final.
Underdogs shine in the women’s draw
Day eight of the French Open typified the entire women’s singles tournament as all four matches played were won by the underdogs.
Elena Rybakina reached the quarter-finals without dropping a set after defeating Serena Williams 6-3, 7-5 and halting the American’s search for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.
The 15th seed Victoria Azarenka also crashed out of the tournament as Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova battled from a set down to win in two hours and 11 minutes.
Meanwhile, the world No 35 Paula Badosa also downed the 20th seed Marketa Vondrousova in three sets.
Finally, the world No 85 Tamara Zidansek became the first ever Slovenian woman to reach the quarter finals of a grand slam following a straight sets win over the world No 54 Sorana Cirstea.
