World number one Roger Federer has announced that he will not be defending his title in the Halle ATP tournament which started here on Monday.
HALLE: World number one Roger Federer has announced that he will not be defending his title in the Halle ATP tournament which started here on Monday.
The four-time defending champion had been expected to travel to Germany following his loss at the French Open final in Paris on Sunday when Spaniard Rafael Nadal destroyed the Swiss player's historic Grand Slam dream for another year by beating him 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. But an abductor injury and general fatigue from the fortnight-long Roland Garros tournament have taken their toll and Federer has returned to his Swiss home to recover before Wimbledon which starts on June 25.
In a message posted on his website, Federer said: "In an attempt to prevent injury after the long final in Paris, I cannot defend my title at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle.
"Gerry and Ralf Weber have always been so hospitable over the years and I love playing there. I look forward to returning in 2008."
Tournament director Ralf Weber was clearly disappointed to hear of Federer's eleventh-hour withdrawal, especially as Weber was told the event's top-seed was still coming as late as Sunday night.
"Of course, I am very disappointed," said Weber.
"Roger has played here for the last seven years and won four times.
"We have to respect the decision he has made.
"For him, Wimbledon, being a Grand Slam tournament, is obviously a priority and I can understand his desire to rest.
"But I was told by his management as late as Sunday night that he was coming and arrangements were in place for his arrival.
"However, I see no reason why we can't have a successful tournament and we are looking forward to welcoming him back in 2008."
Under ATP rules, Federer, as a seeded-player, has until Wednesday to come to Halle to receive a medical check and will be fined 40,000 dollars - double the fine of an unseeded player - if he fails to show.
The Halle tournament has traditionally been used as a warm-up on grass for Wimbledon, and Federer's withdrawal means world number three Russian Nikolay Davydenko is now top seed.
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