LONDON, (Reuters) – World number one Roger Federer  has withdrawn from next month’s Japan Open and Shanghai Masters  in order to get some rest, the Swiss confirmed yesterday.

“I am disappointed that I have to withdraw from Tokyo and  Shanghai as they are two of my favourite cities in the world  and the fans have been great to me over the years,” Federer  said on his website (www.rogerfederer. com).

“After consultation with my team and doctors, I decided to  take the difficult decision to withdraw from both tournaments  so that I can give my body a chance to rest, rehabilitate and  fully recover from a physically challenging year.”

Federer reclaimed his world number one spot from Rafael  Nadal this year, winning the French Open for the first time and  Wimbledon, but failed to win a sixth consecutive U.S. Open  title when he lost to Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro in the  final at Flushing Meadows earlier this month.

Nadal is also struggling ahead of the Asian stop on the ATP  Tour, pulling out of next week’s Thailand Open with an  abdominal injury. Both Federer and Nadal have already qualified  for the end-of-season Masters Cup in London.