FEDERER WITHDRAWS FROM WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN
Rafael Nadal to Return to No. 1
Roger Federer, a seven-time champion at the Western & Southern Open, has withdrawn from the 2017 tournament.
“I am very sorry to pull out of the Western & Southern Open as I always enjoy playing here,” Federer said. “Cincinnati has some of the best fans in the world and I am sorry I will miss them. Unfortunately, I tweaked my back in Montreal and I need to rest this week.”
A lucky loser will replace Federer in the draw and have the benefit of a first round bye. They will play the winner of the opening round match between Diego Schwartzman and Karen Khachanov.
Federer’s withdrawal assures Rafael Nadal will return to No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings when the new rankings are released on Monday, Aug. 21. Nadal, who has spent 141 total weeks in the top spot, will be back at No. 1 for the first time since July 6, 2014.
Nadal’s first time at No. 1 also came as a result of the Western & Southern Open. In 2008, Nadal reached the semifinals in Cincinnati, which allowed him to become No. 1 for the first time on Aug. 18, 2008
Western & Southern Open tickets can be purchased on WSOpen.com, TicketMaster.com or by calling (513) 651-0303.
About the Western & Southern Open
The Western & Southern Open takes place August 12-20, 2017 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, 20 miles north of Cincinnati in Mason, OH. The tournament is one of the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 events on the men’s tour and a Premier 5 event for the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), making it one of only five events in the world outside of the grand slams with events of that caliber occurring during the same week at the same venue. The tournament is also one of the last stops on the US Open Series before the US Open in New York. Since 1974, the tournament has contributed more than $10 million directly to its beneficiaries: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the Barrett Cancer Center and Tennis for City Youth.
Check out the Cincy ice cream sponsor! It seriously may be some of the best ICE CREAM on Planet! Booths around tournament site. GRAETNERS!!! (yes, it can be mail ordered…)
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