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The 39-year-old Swiss last played a competitive
match at the season-opening Grand Slam in January before he had
to undergo surgery on his knee. He later required a second
operation.
The start of the 2021 Australian Open has been delayed for three
weeks until Feb. 8 due to the country's strict border rules to
curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Federer, who had been training at his off-season base in Dubai,
had told organisers that the delayed start to the tournament
could benefit him.
However, his agent Tony Godsick said Federer was not quite ready
to return.
"Roger has decided not to play the 2021 Australian Open,"
Godsick said in a statement. "He has made strong progress in the
last couple of months with his knee and his fitness.
"However, after consultation with his team, he decided that the
best decision for him in the long run is to return to
competitive tennis after the Australian Open."
Godsick added that he was looking to build a playing calendar
for Federer from late February.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said they were
disappointed to lose Federer for next year's event.
"In the end Roger ran out of time to get himself ready for the
rigours of a Grand Slam and he's very disappointed he won't be
coming to Melbourne in 2021," Tiley said in a statement.
"We wish him all the best as he prepares for his comeback later
in the year and look forward to seeing him in Melbourne in
2022."
Federer has been an ever-present at Melbourne Park since his
first appearance when he lost in qualifying in 1999.
He has made 15 trips to the semi-finals and won the last of his
six Melbourne titles in 2018.
Federer made the semis earlier this year, losing to eventual
winner Novak Djokovic.
(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury in Wellington; Editing by Jane
Wardell/Peter Rutherford)
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