Roger Federer pulls out of Dubai Tennis Championships

Dubai: Top-seeded Roger Federer has pulled out of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships due to a chest infection he developed last week, according to an ATP Tour representative.

The world No 1 has been advised to rest for a week by doctors.

Tommy Robredo of Spain will replace the Swiss in the fresh draw to be announced later this evening.

This is the second successive year Federer has skipped the “home event”.

The Swiss ace withdrew for the championships in 2009 due to a back injury.

Has it become a common practice for players to pull out of tournaments? Will Federer’s exit rob the event of its star power? Who do you think will win the tournament now?