Just days after Andy Murray pulled out of the next week’s Rogers Cup, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal also announced their withdrawals from the tournament that runs from July 23-31 in Montreal, Canada.
Also known as the Montreal Masters, the tournament’s schedule has come under the scanner this year, with some big names giving it a miss to stay in good physical shape for the subsequent Rio Olympics, which is scheduled to kick-start from August 5 in Brazil.
“I have made the tough decision to withdraw from Rogers Cup,” RogersCup.com quoted Federer, who is yet to win his first title this year, having played just seven tournaments in an injury-marred 2016.
“Looking ahead, it is best for me that I take more time after Wimbledon. I look forward to coming back to Canada next year,” added the Swiss, who made the semi-finals at the All England Club recently.
Meanwhile, Nadal, who has been nursing a wrist injury that has kept him out of action since about two months, deems that he is not ready to make his return on tour just as yet.
“I am disappointed to announce I won’t be able to come to Toronto to play this year,” said the three-time champion. “I only started practicing a week ago after my wrist injury and I am not ready to play such an important event.”
In the absence of other star players, top-ranked Novak Djokovic will lead the 64-player field.
