Roger Federer withdraws from Paris Masters in lead-up to ATP finals

Roger Federer has decided that he will not be playing in the Paris Masters this year. The decision comes a day after winning the Swiss Indoors in Basel. After the win in Basel, Federer had said that he will be having a meeting with his team members where they will decide whether to participate in the tournament. The decision was announced late on Monday morning. 

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Federar's statement

In a statement, Federer said, "I am extremely disappointed to have to pull out of the Rolex Paris Masters. I have to pace myself since I want to play as long as possible on the ATP Tour. I am sorry for my French fans who I will see next year at Roland Garros." The Swiss legend will be replaced by a lucky loser announced tournament director Guy Forget. Forget further added, "I’m obviously disappointed about this withdrawal, especially for the spectators in the AccorHotels Arena. Despite this announcement, the 2019 Rolex Paris Masters promises to be a thrilling tournament, and the stakes are still very high as the last few places in the Nitto ATP Finals in London are up for grabs as well as the end-of-year No.1 spot.” 

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After Sunday's victory, Federer said that he was fine and he was fit, however, he had been considering not playing in Paris so that he is fit for the ATP finals. 

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The 38-year-old has been going strong and on Sunday won a record 10th Basel Indoors title defeating Australian Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-2. The win gave him his fourth ATP Tour win of the season, after wins at the Dubai Open, ATP Miami Masters and the Halle Open earlier this year. The Swiss legend took his overall titles to 103, just six titles short of Jimmy Connor's record of 109 ATP titles. Federer got emotional in the prize ceremony and later celebrated the title by continuing his tradition of sitting with the ball boys and girls and eating pizza. Federer was a ball boy in the tournament for more than two decades and before the finals, he said that he was a ball boy at heart and will forever remain a ball boy. Federer first won the Basel Indoors tournament in 2006. 

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