Roger Federer has cancelled his planned start at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Toronto, Canada. The world number two wants to take more time to return fit on the tour.
“I’m so disappointed I can’t play the Rogers Cup this summer,” Federer said. “I had a fantastic time last year and always enjoy playing in front of Canadian fans. Unfortunately I have to retire because my tournament planning is the key. I’m sorry I missed the tournament.”
Federer’s last match so far was the quarter-final of Wimbledon, where he lost in five sets against the later finalist Kevin Anderson despite a match point. Last year Federer reached the final of the Rogers Cup, which takes place every two years between Toronto and Montreal. There Alexander Zverev defeated him.
The Swiss considers the Masters in Cincinnati, where he has not played since 2015, as the time for his comeback. In 2014 Federer played both tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati for the last time, reaching the final of both. In 2004 and 2006 Federer won the Rogers Cup.