Federer withdraws from Stockholm Open

Reigning US Open champion Roger Federer has announced that he has withdrawn from next week’s Stockholm Open in Sweden, pointing out he needs to rest in order to regain his No. 1 ranking.

"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. 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 No. 1 ranking again," Federer said in a statement posted on his official website, RogerFederer.com. "In order to do that, I need to get a proper rest and get strong again so that I am 100 percent fit for the remainder of the year or next year."

Currently ranked No. 2 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings behind Spaniard Rafael Nadal, the Swiss native teamed up with countryman Stanislas Wawrinka in August to capture the Doubles Gold Medal at the Beijing Olympics. Federer then dispatched Andy Murray in straight sets last month to win the US Open and claim his 13th career grand slam singles title. Most recently, the tennis legend won matches in singles and doubles to help lead Switzerland over Belgium to gain a spot in the 2009 Davis Cup World Group competition.

The 27-year-old did not designate a specific return date to tournament play, but it’s likely he will return in enough time to play the Masters Series events in Madrid and Paris, before attempting to defend his Tennis Masters Cup title in Shanghai.