Rogers Cup 2009: Organizers hoping for Federer, Nadal participation

The organizers of the Rogers Cup are hoping that the top two players in the world, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, will be able to participate in the tournament.

This $3 million event, which takes place from August 8 to 16 in Montreal, Canada, is expected to attract high profile players such as last year’s semifinalist Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick.

Rogers Cup Tournament Director Eugene Lapierre said during a press conference on Wednesday that Nadal’s chances of appearing in the event are high as confirmed by the Spaniard’s team. As for Federer, his participation is not yet confirmed.

The Swiss player, who regained the world number one following his record-breaking 15th career Slam win in Wimbledon, might skip the event considering that his wife Mirka is expected to give birth around this time.

Nadal is the defending champion of this event. Federer, who won this tournament twice (2004, 2006), was upset in the second round last year by Frenchman Gilles Simon.