May 6, 2014 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
A number of the world’s top players, including Stanislas Wawrinka and David Ferrer, will begin play at the Mutua Madrid open today. One top five player who will not be in action is Roger Federer who withdrew from the tournament to spend time with his wife, Mirka, as they await the birth of their third child.
On his Facebook page, Federer apologized to fans for having to withdraw from the event: “I’ve decided to withdraw from Madrid to be with my wife Mirka during these next few exciting weeks for our family. I apologize to my fans and hope to be back in Madrid next year. I’ll be training near my home, and am excited to rejoin the Tour soon!”
Federer last played back in the finals of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, and could possibly miss the Rome Masters next week as well. He has also said previously that he would consider missing the French Open later this month if it conflicts with the birth of the couple’s child. The Swiss native currently holds the best record of anybody on the ATP tour this year at 28-5, and hasn’t missed a Grand Slam event since 2000.
Novak Djokvic also withdrew from Madrid due to a wrist injury that has plagued him for the past month.
