STARNBERG, August 14, 2017

Roger Federer has pulled out from the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. The seven-time champion said on Monday that back problems will force him to miss the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event this week.

“I am very sorry to pull out of the Western & Southern Open as I always enjoy playing here,” Federer said. “Cincinnati has some of the best fans in the world and I am sorry I will miss them. Unfortunately, I tweaked my back in Montreal and I need to rest this week.”

Federer’s withdrawal guarantees that Rafael Nadal will return to the top of the ATP rankings on Monday, 21 August for the first time since July 2014.

The Spaniard will also be the top seed in Cincinnati taking on Richard Gasquet of France in the opening round. Next highest ranked player in the draw is the tournament’s number three Dominic Thiem. The Autrian will open his campaign against either Fabio Fognini of Italy of Russia’s #NextGenATP player Daniil Medvedev. Italian Thomas Fabbiano will take over Federer’s place as lucky loser.