WASHINGTON, July 26 (Xinhua) -- The Rogers Cup will be without two of the game's biggest stars as both Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Juan Martin del Potro from Argentina have announced to miss the ATP Masters 1,000 event, local media reported on Friday.
Djokovic, a four-time Rogers Cup champion, needs more time to recover after winning his fifth Wimbledon title in July. The world No. 1 beat Swiss Roger Federer 7-6(5), 1-6, 7-6(4), 4-6, 13-12(3) in the first fifth-set tie-break in Wimbledon singles history.
The Serbian saved two match points against Federer, becoming the first player to save match points in the Wimbledon final and win in 71 years.
"I'm sorry to announce that I decided to pull out of Rogers Cup. With the support of my team, I have decided to give my body longer rest and recovery time before coming back again to play," Djokovic said.
This year's Rogers Cup will be held in Montreal between August 3-11.
"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," Djokovic added.
Djokovic has won the event, which alternates between Montreal and Toronto, twice in both city -- Montreal in 2007 and 2011, and Toronto in 2012 and 2016.
Del Potro is continuing his rehab from a fractured right knee that he suffered on June 19 during his second-round match at the Fever-Tree Championships in London. The Argentine, No. 12 in the ATP rankings, underwent surgery on June 22. Enditem
