STOCKHOLM: Roger Federer has pulled the plug on next week's Stockholm Open and perhaps beyond, saying that a long season has taken a toll on his fitness.
The Swiss world number two had been due to headline for the first time at the indoor event won in the past by John McEnroe and Boris Becker.
"2008 has been a tough year for me as I was always playing catch up after being diagnosed with mononucleosis at the beginning of the year," said Federer Wednesday, who played just under a fortnight ago in the Davis Cup for Switzerland after winning the US Open.
"I feel fortunate to be healthy again, but I want to remain at the top of the game for many more years to come and go after the number one ranking again.
"In order to do that, I need to get a proper rest and get strong again so that I am 100 per cent fit for the remainder of the year or next year.
"At this point, I am not sure when I will be ready to play again, but I hope to be back at some point before the end of the year," said Federer.
Tournament officials absorbed the body blow at the box office well enough, citing an event starting on Monday which is now headed by Argentina's world number seven David Nalbandian, former world number two Tommy Haas of Germany and Croatia's Mario Ancic.
