Roger Federer to skip Toronto Masters

World No.2 Roger Federer has withdrawn from next month’s Rogers Cup in Toronto as part of his ongoing strategy to lighten his schedule and conserve energy for the top events.

The decision by the 36-year-old Swiss, who was stunned in the final of last year’s Rogers Cup in Montreal by German Alexander Zverev, comes less than two weeks after his quarter-final loss at Wimbledon.

Federer, who turns 37 during the week of the Toronto tournament, fell 13-11 in the fifth set of his Wimbledon epic against Kevin Anderson, who went on to reach the final.

“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 in a statement issued by organisers on Monday.

“I wish the tournament every success and am sorry to miss it.”

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Federer tweaked his back during last year’s tournament in Montreal and subsequently withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters event the following week.

He arrived at the US Open somewhat short of match play and was stretched to five sets in his first two matches before falling in the quarterfinals to Juan Martin del Potro.

Federer has played just seven events in 2018; he skipped the entire clay-court season for the second year running.

Currently ranked No.2 behind Rafael Nadal, Federer is next scheduled to play in Cincinnati (12-19 August) where he is a seven-time champion and undefeated since 2013.

This year’s Rogers Cup in Toronto, from 6-12 August, will include nine of the top 10 players on the ATP World Tour, including world No.3 and three-time champion Rafael Nadal and Wimbledon champion and four-time winner Novak Djokovic.

The WTA Canadian Open will be staged in Montreal the same week.