Revealed: The in-depth reasons why Roger Federer shunned the Rogers Cup

ATP Tour
Roger Federer serves

Roger Federer decided to withdraw from the Rogers Cup because he feared he’d pick up an injury that would hurt his US Open challenge, says his coach.

Federer has been criticised for shunning the ATP Tour event and citing “scheduling” reasons, especially given that both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have confirmed they will be taking part.

The Swiss played the Rogers Cup last year, reaching the final before being brought down by a back injury which went on to plague his US Open challenge a few weeks later.

And Federer’s coach, Severin Luthi, says that experience has played a huge part in his decision this time around.

“Under certain circumstances, it would have been wiser before Wimbledon to skip Stuttgart and play the Halle tournament,” said Luthi.

“But in retrospect, you know it better and better. I really do not think it would be an advantage to play Toronto and Cincinnati. Maybe it would even be a disadvantage.

“Would it be an advantage for him to play two tournaments before the US Open? No, not in my opinion. Of course, certain people will say: And if he loses in Cincinnati in the first round?

“But the most important thing for him is that he is fresh, motivated and inspired.

“With 37 years and his experience, he does not need 25 tournaments before a Grand Slam.”

Roger Federer

Latest