After an unsuccessful attempt to claim the Australian Open title in January, Roger Federer has announced that he is to have knee surgery that will rule him out of the French Open and clay court season in full.

The Swiss legend, who currently holds the most Grand Slam victories in history, with 20 titles, will miss not just the French Open at Roland Garros, but the whole clay court season. While it is due to an injury, the obviously ulterior motive is Federer bidding to end the season in spectacular fashion and claim one of the two remaining hard-court Slams on offer in 2020.

Federer made the announcement on Twitter as he ruled himself out of Glam Slam competition until June at the earliest.

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