Back Injury Forces Federer To Pull Out Of ATP Tour Finals

On Sunday night in Greenwich, the unthinkable happened when Roger Federer pulled out of the  ATP World Tour Finals at the eleventh hour as a result of his recurring back injury. The Swiss made the announcement from the floor of the O2 Arena minutes before the final against Novak Djokovic was to commence.

Here’s what the 33-year-old said:

“Unfortunately I’m not match fit to play the match tonight”.

“Clearly I wish it wasn’t this way. You try all year to be ready for the ATP World Tour Finals and I didn’t want to end this way. I tried everything I could last night and today – painkillers, rest – until the very end but I can’t compete at this level with Novak. In a final like this and at my age it would be too risky. I hope you understand.”

His announcement attracted plenty of sympathy as screams of “We love you, Roger!” filled the air