Federer to skip two tournaments to rest

BOTTMINGEN, Switzerland, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Roger Federer, the world's top-rated tennis player, has withdrawn from upcoming ATP tournaments in Tokyo and Shanghai.

Federer cited a need to "rest, rehabilitate and fully recover from a physically challenging year" as reasons for skipping the Japan Open, a $1.2 million tournament that begins Oct. 5, and the $5.25 million Shanghai Masters event Oct. 12-18.

"I am disappointed that I have to withdraw from Tokyo and Shanghai, as they are two of my favorite cities in the world and the fans have been great to me over the years," Federer said on his Web site. "After consultation with my team and doctors, I decided to take the difficult decision to withdraw from both tournaments …"

The Federer Web site indicated his next tournament would be the $1.8 million event in his hometown of Basel, Switzerland, beginning Nov. 2.

Federer played for Switzerland in a recent Davis Cup match against Italy and he showed signs of fatigue. Those matches were shortly after Federer completed a runner-up finish at the U.S. Open.

He won the French Open and Wimbledon, results that gave him a record total of 15

Grand Slam championships and returned him to the world No. 1 ranking.

Federer also married Mirka Vavrinec and they became parents of twin girls in July.