Roger Federer to skip Rogers Cup

Roger Federer has pulled out of the Rogers Cup in Montreal, which is scheduled to begin on August 10. Federer will be replaced in the main draw by Jerzy Janowicz.

Federer, who turns 34 this August, “wants to make sure he will be (in) top shape for” the US Open , according to a spokeswoman of Tennis Canada.

In a statement issued by Tennis Canada, Federer said, “I am disappointed that I won’t be playing in Montreal, because it’s a tournament and a city that I really enjoy and has incredible fans, I hope to be back in the future.”

Federer, who won the tournament in 2004 and 2006 and ended up runner up last year, will be bidding for his sixth US Open title at Flushing Meadows. The last Grand Slam begins on August 31.

Federer has won the USO five consecutive times- 2004 to 2008 – which is an open era record. The Swiss went down to the eventual champion Marin Cilic last year, in the semifinals.

Federer has taken quite some time off, after his defeat to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. Only time will tell, whether skipping a hard court tournament just before USO, come handy or not. In the past few years, Roger has been very selective about the tournament he plays in. He has definitely started respecting his body a lot more.

Earlier, Federer had confirmed his participation in Cincinnati, where he is the defending champion.

( Statement Excerpts: AP/ESPN)

(Image Courtesy: sports.ndtv.com)