Report: Federer withdraws from Stockholm

London -- Former No. 1 men's tennis player Roger Federer has withdrawn from next week's Stockholm Open to rest, the BBC reported Wednesday.

The 27-year-old native of Basel, Switzerland, was diagnosed with glandular fever at the start of the 2008 season, which limited his past domination of the ATP men's tennis Tour.

His 2008 record (55-12) includes losses to Rafael Nadal in both the French Open and Wimbledon grand slam finals, which led to Nadal replacing him in the No. 1 ranking.

"I feel fortunate to be healthy again," he told the London-based network.

"But I want to remain at the top of the game for years to come and go after the number one ranking again. In order to do that, I need to get a proper rest and get strong again so that I am 100 percent fit for the remainder of the year or next year."

He is scheduled to play in the Madrid Masters later this month.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.