PARIS, May 19, 2016

Roger Federer withdrew on Thursday from Roland Garros 2016. It will be the first time that the 34-year-old Swiss will miss the main draw of the French Open since making his first appearance in Paris in 1999. After this year’s Australian Open Federer underwent a knee injury and had to deal with back problems in recent weeks.

The world number three wrote on his facebook page:

“He is not able to compete in five set-matches at the moment,” tournament director Guy Forget told on Thursday evening. “He has been able to play 65 majors in a row, which is unbelievable. I am very sorry for him as well as for the fans. However, the event will be extraordinary.”

Federer’s next tournament will be the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, which kicks off the grass court season on the ATP World Tour on June 6.

On Friday morning the withdrawal of Gael Monfils was announced. The Frenchman is dealing with a bad virus.

The 2016 edition of the French Open begins next Sunday. The main draw ceremony will be held on Friday morning at the Club des Loges. The draw will be carried out by Olympic champions Tony Estanguet and Marie-José Perec.