Roger Federer to miss first Grand Slam since 1999

Roger Federer will not participate in French Open. — (Image credit: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Roger Federer has withdrawn from this year's French Open, marking the first time the former world number one has missed a Grand Slam since the U.S. Open in 1999. Federer, 34, cited back problems as keeping him from the court. "I feel I might be taking an unnecessary risk by playing in this event before I am really ready," he said in an apology to his fans that he posted to Facebook.

Federer is a 17-time Grand Slam champion, and has played in 65 consecutive majors.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.