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 (7-5) 6-2 6-1.

“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.

“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.”

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.