Roger Federer to skip Davis Cup playoffs in Kazakhstan to relax for rest of season

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Federer will skip Davis Cup playoffs to stay fresh

BASEL, Switzerland — Roger Federer will skip Switzerland’s Davis Cup match in Kazakhstan this weekend to stay fresh for the rest of the season.

“I need some extra time to relax after the intense weeks in North America so I can finish the year strong,” Federer said Wednesday on his official website.

Federer reached the U.S. Open semifinals — losing in five sets to Novak Djokovic last Saturday — won the Cincinnati Masters, and lost in the Toronto Masters final.

Federer is next scheduled to play at the Shanghai Masters starting Oct. 10, then return to Europe for the indoor hardcourt season in Stockholm, his hometown event in Basel, and the Paris Masters.

His competitive season ends at the ATP World Tour Finals in London beginning Nov. 21.

Federer cited schedule problems when he missed Switzerland’s 4-1 loss in Spain in a Davis Cup world group match in March.

The Swiss had retained their place in the elite 16-nation group last September when Federer won both his singles matches in a 3-2 victory in Italy.

“Obviously we would have liked to have Roger with us for this match but we knew also that his participation was uncertain,” Switzerland captain Severin Luethi said.

Switzerland travels to Kazakhstan for the playoffs starting Friday to decide which country will remain in the world group next year. The Swiss team will be led by U.S. Open quarterfinalist Stanislas Wawrinka.

“I’m happy that Stan is in excellent form and that he’ll be in good shape in Astana,” Luethi said.