Asia-Pacific News

Djokovic withdraws hurt from Shanghai

Oct 7, 2011, 5:16 GMT

Shanghai - Next week's Rolex Shanghai Masters will be missing both Novak Djokovic and Switzerland's Roger Federer after the world number one Serb withdrew Friday from the showpiece Asian event with a continuing back injury.

'I'm sorry not to be playing in Shanghai, one of my favourite tournaments, but I have not recovered yet from my injury,' Djokovic said. 'I did another check this week, and the results are not good, so I need to continue my rehabilitation.'

Djokovic had been due to play this week in Beijing but opted out, leaving it doubtful as to whether he could front up in China's commercial capital of Shanghai for the event he won in 2008.

Third-ranked Federer withdrew from the tournament last week to rest after reaching the US Open semi-finals in New York and flying halfway around the world to help Switzerland to a return place in the Davis Cup World Group a few days later.

Leading the Shanghai charge would be second-ranked Rafael Nadal and number four Scot Andy Murray, who beat Federer in the 2010 final.

Both Nadal and Murray are competing this week in Tokyo, where Nadal is the holder. Murray started his October Asia campaign by winning Bangkok last weekend.

Murray is striving to pass Federer in the rankings, hoping to take advantage of the Swiss player's absence by compiling more points to try to end the season among the top 3.

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