Tennis Tennis Jo-Wilfried Tsonga pulls out of Australian Open The 35-year-old has not played since retiring from his first-round match at Melbourne Park in January when trailing Alexei Popyrin 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-1. Reuters 30 December, 2020 10:57 IST World number 35 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - Getty Images Reuters 30 December, 2020 10:57 IST Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has joined Roger Federer in withdrawing from the 2021 Australian Open after failing to recover fully from a lower back injury.The 35-year-old has not played since retiring from his first-round match at Melbourne Park in January when trailing Alexei Popyrin 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-1. Indian Wells postponed due to COVID-19 concerns "Despite great progress in recent months, I am still not able to play in competition," Tsonga, a 2008 finalist in Melbourne, wrote in a social media post. Best quotes from the world of sports in 2020 "In agreement with the medical team, the Australian Open is therefore compromised this year."I am looking forward to getting back on a tennis court, but I have to be patient ... Even if not going to Australia this year is a heartbreaker." Roger Federer out of Australian Open: agent The first Grand Slam of 2021 has been delayed by three weeks due to Australia's strict border rules to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. It will start on Feb. 8.Six-times champion Federer pulled out earlier this week as he continues to work his way back to fitness from two knee operations earlier this year. Subscribe to our daily newsletter Get your daily dose of Sportstar with handpicked stories delivered right to your inbox! SUBSCRIBE Please enter a valid email address. Dugout videos