Oh, no, this is really bad! Roger Federer announced on his website today that he won’t be playing in the upcoming Dubai tournament or in Davis Cup competition due to a recurring back injury:
Dear Fans,
Today I am disappointed to announce that I am withdrawing from both Dubai and the Davis Cup tie in the United States. This was a hard decision to make as I am missing not only one of my favorite events on tour in Dubai but I am also missing out on an opportunity to help my country try and move on to the next round of Davis Cup. After injuring my back last fall, I did not have enough time to strengthen it completely. As a precautionary measure, I will use the next few weeks to make sure the back injury is fully rehabilitated and I am ready for the rest of the 2009 season.
As always, thanks for your continued support.
Roger
WTF! This is so disappointing for Fed fans, and worrying too! Is that back injury that kept him out of the Paris masters last year becoming terminal? Is he still feeling low after the self-destruction Down Under?
One of you fabulous commenters mentioned after the Aussie Open that you thought his serving suffered in the final due to a flare up of this back injury. At the time I though – ehhhh, it’s just Rafa. But maybe you were on to something, insightful commenter!
More than Dubai (which might not even happen if Ram doesn’t get in), I was really looking forward to Davis Cup and seeing the cool Swiss, Roger Federer, facing the Americans in Birmingham, Alabama. I guess it’s good news for team U.S.A., but I’m totally, totally bummed. But there’s no doubt that the upcoming Indian Wells/Miami swing is not only crucial for the ranking points but also one of the most physically grueling two week periods on tour, so I grudgingly support Roger’s decision. GET WELL SOON, ROGER!
So Fedophiles, what do you think? How are we going to cope with this troubling news? And with Rafa (leg), Roger (back), Serena (knee), Maria (shoulder), Murray (foot), Blake (ankle) and probably a host of other top players injured, what’s going to happen to our sport for the next few months?
ACK!
Photo: REUTERS
Tags: ATP, Davis Cup, Dubai Tennis Championships, Federer, Fedophile
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Oh no! One never knows with these PR’ed statements. Has the back issue become chronic (which, unfortunately, they usually do) or is it a mental break after the post-match pool of tears in Oz?
Hard to say but if he needs time I guess he needs time – he’s def earned it. Good thing I decided not to travel to the Davis Cup tie – how disappointing would THAT be?
*thanks lucky stars*
*counts extra pennies in broke down piggy bank*
“how disappointing would THAT be?” Let me tell you….VERY!!!! I decided to bite the bullet and get the scalper tickets, “It’s once in a lifetime” Right??? Why not, so went in with some girlfriends, had to make all the child care arrangements to have our little girls trip to go “ooh and ahh” over Roger…..I was counting down the days….until yesterday. Disappointment does not even come close to the emotions…but stuck with a ticket that I paid too much for, I will not get to wear my FED FAN red/white swiss shirt, I will have to go cheer for Andy Roddick, but I have convinced myself that we are going dammit and we are going to have a good time whether we like it or not! I just hope Fed can pull it together and get #14 if not 15, before he pulls a Borg and disappears. That would be crushing for all of us true Fedophiles. I hope it is just the back and not the “head” as some seem to think.
Hey CGO,
OH NOOOOOO! That does suck. But you know what, you’re going to have a fantastic time! First of all, it sounds like you have a great group of friends to share the trip with. And you got the kids taken care of which means there could be some cocktails involved. And Roddick and the Bryan Bros are going to put on a great show. And Stan Wawrinka is a great player who will make the matches competitive. So I’m still jealous!
I don’t know about the head vs. back. In a way, I’d almost rather have it be the head, because head problems can be cured and back problems tend to be chronic. It’s gonna be a real test of Fed Fandom as we wait for Roger to hit 14 and 15. But I know he can do it!
Hey Rich! Yeah, the back thing seems pretty out of left field. I’m all for the top players resting up (hello, Rafa!) and this part of thes season is both grueling and expendable so it makes sense. But I agree about Davis Cup – it was going to be sooo exciting! Now it’s just a matter of the Bryan bros doing their thing and Roddick and Co. beating whoever isn’t Wawrinka (of course they could go ahead and bat Wawrinka, too.)
All the hardcore fans who bought tickets must be sooo disappointed. More fuel for the whole “Davis Cup every two years” fire.
Brilliant move by Fed. He gets to finesse out of a looming public relations quandary in Dubai next week when Ram’s visa is denied. As an ATP Board player rep and a resident of Dubai, he’d have to make a statement of some kind. That’s a no-win for Fed, better to be safely ensconced in neutral Switzerland for the week. Withdrawing from Davis Cup gives cover to his Dubai withdrawal. Truly brilliant.
Hi Bobby! Roger seems so apolitical that I almost think he doesn’t realize the full implications of his withdrawal/his residence in Dubai/championing of the region in general. I honestly think the injury is real, at least in the way that it’s a personal issue that has nothing to do with the tour or tour politics. But who knows? We’ll see if he or Rafa (who has also officially withdrawn from Dubai) speak up at all – I hope they’re asked to.