Roger Federer pulls out of Rogers Cup as part of ongoing strategy to extend career
Roger Federer has withdrawn from next month's Rogers Cup in Toronto as part of his ongoing strategy to lighten his schedule and conserve energy for the top events which includes the final major of the season, the US Open.
The decision by the world No 2 comes less than two weeks after his quarter-final defeat at Wimbledon to Kevin Anderson.
Federer competed in last year's Rogers Cup in Montreal off the back of winning Wimbledon but lost in the final to Germany's Alexander Zverev.
The 36-year-old had won his eighth Wimbledon title last year without dropping a set. This year in south west London, he suffered a shock defeat to South African Anderson, losing 13-11 in a fifth-set decider. It was the first sets he had dropped at the grass court major since July 2016 and was the first time Anderson had taken a set off the Swiss.
"I had a fantastic time in Montreal last year and always enjoy playing in front of the Canadian fans, but unfortunately with scheduling being the key to my longevity moving forward, I have regrettably decided to withdraw from Toronto this year," Federer said.
"I wish the tournament every success and am sorry to miss it."
The Rogers Cup, which gets under way on August 4, will include nine of the top 10 players on the ATP World Tour, including world No 1 and three-time champion Rafael Nadal and Wimbledon champion and four-time winner Novak Djokovic.
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The tournament is one of two Masters events to take place in the lead up to the US Open which takes place at the end of August.
Federer has won five titles at Flushing Meadows with his last success coming 10 years ago.
