Federer Will Skip Paris to Prep for London

The World No. 1 considers a break 'the only right decision' in preparation for the year-end finals in London.

By Chris Oddo

(October 28, 2012) -- After losing in the final of his hometown tournament on Sunday, Roger Federer has elected to skip the last Masters event of the year in order to prepare for the ATP’s World Tour Finals.

“I feel very disappointed,” Federer told reporters after the conclusion of his two hour and forty-five minute final with Juan Martin Del Potro. “I had one of the best weeks of my life there [in Paris], but this is just a last-minute decision.”

Federer, who won the title in Paris last year before finishing the season by winning his sixth World Tour Finals title, told reporters that he didn’t feel 100 percent after a long, grueling year in which he has won six titles and compiled a 68-10 record.

“I’m not going,” Federer said. “It’s the only right decision for me. I had some niggling stuff and I didn’t want to take a chance obviously before the World Tour Finals... I need some time to prepare.”

Federer’s absence from the Paris event means that Novak Djokovic will finish the season as the ATP's year-end No. 1 for the second consecutive season. .

This week is Federer’s 302nd week at No. 1, good for most all-time.

(Photo Credit: AP)