MONTREAL — Top-ranked Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Rogers Cup, he said Thursday.
Djokovic, who won Wimbledon earlier this month for his 16th Grand Slam title, is a four-time champion at the Rogers Cup. The event rotates between Montreal and Toronto.
“I’m sorry to announce that I decided to pull out of Rogers Cup,” Djokovic said in the statement. “With the support of my team, I have decided to give my body longer rest and recovery time before coming back again to play. I love Canada and I have many friends there that always make me feel like I’m at home and I’m looking forward to coming back again to play in front of all of you in Montreal.”
With Djokovic out, Rafael Nadal will be the top seed in the event that opens Aug. 2 at IGA Stadium. Nadal won last year in Toronto. Roger Federer pulled out two weeks ago.