Swiss world No.3 Roger Federer will start his north American hard-court season next week at the Rogers Cup in Montreal, Canada.
The 35-year-old is set to play in the city for the first time since 2011. Over the next two months he will be aiming to win his third grand slam title of the season as well as claim the world No.1 ranking. Federer is the only top-10 player to have no ranking points to defend for the rest of the season due to his six-month injury-related absence last year.
“I’m happy to be coming back to Montreal, as I have not had the chance to play there for many years,” said Federer. “This 2017 season has been very exciting and I am really looking forward to being back on the court on the ATP Tour.”
Federer is a two-time champion in the tournament, last winning the title in 2006. Although he is yet to win the title in Montreal. The Rogers Cup alternates every year between Toronto and Montreal.
Next week Federer will be bidding to win his third Masters 1000 title of the season after Miami and Indian Wells. The tournament will get underway on August 7th, a day before Federer’s 36th birthday.
“We are obviously very happy to announce the return of the great Roger Federer,” said Eugène Lapierre, Tournament Director of Rogers Cup presented by National Bank. “We are celebrating today and the celebrations will continue over the next few days especially since Federer will celebrate his birthday with us on August 8. I am certain that the Montreal fans will give him the welcome he deserves.”
So far this season, the 19-time grand slam champion has already claimed four titles and won 31 out of 33 matches played on the ATP Tour. He is yet to lose to a top-20 player this season with a win-loss record of 17-0.
This year’s Rogers Cup is set to feature 19 out of the world’s top-20 players. The only exception is defending champion Novak Djokovic, who has ended his season due to injury. Andy Murray will be the top seed in what will be his first appearance since undergoing treatment on his hip.
