The organizers of the Gerry Weber Open have expressed their disappointment over Roger Federer’s decision to pull out of the grasscourt tournament, held annually in Halle, Germany. The Gerry Weber Open is Federer’s usual warm-up tournament before participating at the Wimbledon tournament – a Grand Slam event he has won six times.
After losing the French Open 2011 final against long-time rival Rafael Nadal on Sunday, the Swiss decided that it is best to take a much-needed break to rest his sore groin. (Read related article)
The world number three is a five-time Gerry Weber Open winner. Last year he lost the final against Lleyton Hewitt. Interestingly, he was scheduled to play against Hewitt in the first round this week.
“After talking with my team this morning, I feel that it is too big a risk to take a chance and aggravate it before Wimbledon,” Federer said in his website.
However, Halle organizer Ralf Webber expressed his surprise and disappointment to the 16-time Grand Slam champion and his team.
“I am stunned. Our plans for the past year have been nearly exclusively with Roger appearing. He never gave us any doubts that he had health problems. I clearly expressed my disappointment to his management.”
Federer has signed an exclusive contract with Halle organizers last year. (Read related article)
