Basel (Switzerland): Roger Federer has pulled out of next week’s Paris Masters, virtually ensuring old rival Rafael Nadal will end 2017 on top of the world rankings as the 19-time Grand Slam champion insisted here late Sunday evening that his body needed a break.
The title here Sunday was Federer’s eighth Swiss Indoors title and 95th of his career which puts him into second on the all-time list behind Jimmy Connors who had 109 triumphs.
“My body is asking for a break,” said the Swiss legend. “Basel takes a lot out of me emotionally. I had five matches in six days. I feel sorry and sad for Paris. I love to play at Bercy. It’s a tough decision, but I have to do it to stay injury-free and healthy,” Federer informed. “I’d like to be fully fit for London (the World Tour Finals) and for 2018,” he added.
According to ATP calculations, Nadal can clinch the year-end No.1 status by winning his opening second-round match in Paris.
Federer last played Paris in 2015 and won the title in 2011. “I did think about the ranking, but I’m so far back in the points race that it was almost out of the question,” Federer pointed out.
“I asked myself what I would do if the ranking (issue) was not there. I want to stay injury-free, not push it and maybe get hurt next week and then miss London. No I did not want that to happen,” the genial Swiss added.
Federer however, currently heads tour title charts this season having won seven. He has also won the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles in 2017. More importantly, he has beaten Nadal every time they have met in 2017.
Sunday however, saw a different Federer in the final against Juan Martin del Potro, when he smashed his racquet into the net in the second set. “It was also due to the frustrations of the first. I threw away the set after being two breaks up and being ahead in the tie-breaker. I am glad, I could find a way though,” Federer said.
Agence France-Presse
