Federer wins eighth Basel title, withdraws from Paris Masters
Switzerland’s Roger Federer beat Argentine Juan Martin del Potro to win the Swiss Indoors – then withdrew from next week’s Paris Masters.
Federer’s 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-3 win moved him within 1,460 points of Spanish world number one Rafael Nadal before the final regular-season event, BBC reported.
But the 36-year-old will not play in Paris, all but ending his chances of ending the year top of the rankings.
“My body is asking for a break,” said the Swiss legend.
“Basel takes a lot out of me emotionally. I had five matches in six days. I feel sorry and sad for Paris.
“I love to play at Bercy, it’s a few times now that I’ve not played there. It’s a tough one but they have to understand that it’s for the cause of staying injury-free and healthy.
“I’d like to be fully fit for London (the World Tour Finals) and for 2018.”
“I did think about the ranking, but I’m so far back in the points race that it was almost out of the question,” added Federer.
“I asked myself what I would do if the ranking (issue) was not there. I want to stay injury-free, not push it and maybe get hurt next week and then miss London.
Federer, an eight-time winner in Basel, has won seven titles in 2017.
Victory for Del Potro would have moved him into the final qualifying place for the ATP finals in London.
Having won in Stockholm last week, the world number 19 was targeting back-to-back titles in Basel but the 29-year-old remains one place behind Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta.
Del Potro must reach at least the semifinals in Paris to claim the final spot.
“It’s unbelievable how well Roger is playing,” said Del Potro.
“I hope to be in such shape when I’m his age. But I doubt I will be.”
Federer now has 95 career titles, with American Jimmy Connors leading the alltime list on 109.