Federer Pulls Out of Qatar Exxon Mobil Open

Doha, January 06 (QNA) - Former Tennis champion and current #3 seed Roger Federer pulled out Friday from Qatar Exxon Mobil, due to an injury. Federer was scheduled to meet the competition's seed # 3 Wilfred Tsonga today. Federer's withdrawal means that he lost his title, Tsonga qualified to the final to meet either Spanish champion Rafael Nadal or Frenchman Gael Monfils in the final of the competition. Federer held a press conference and expressed his regret for withdrawing to the fans. "I don't feel a whole lot of improvement for today, and I just don't think it's the right time to risk anything more right now," Federer said. Federer suffered a back injury during the second round match in Qatar Open. This only the second time in his career that the Swiss player has pulled out of a competition. He said that he tried all measures possible to overcome his bad back and continue playing in the competition, but withdrawing was the "only right decision." He said that he will fly out of Doha on Saturday, after he attends the finals ceremony. The 16-time Grand slam winner says that he will be able to play in the Australian open, on January 16, in time. He believes that will see him back to 100% in time for the Grand slam competition. "This is definitely not very good; otherwise I would be playing. But I feel without play and the right treatment, I will get through it in the next few days," he said. Qatar Open's prize money is worth $ 1.024 million. (QNA)