Injury problems are threatening to overshadow the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup, which has already been rocked by the withdrawal of world number one Rafael Nadal. Roger Federer, top seed in Nadal's absence, is battling a back strain and Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro is hampered by a painful right toe. Nadal pulled out last week citing tendinitis and fatigue.
Federer said he was still taking painkillers and avoiding strenuous training as he battles to recover in time for his opening match on Monday. "I haven't been pushing it to the very limits because I want to give my back the maximum time of recuperation," he said. Any further disruptions would dismay Chinese organisers, who are hosting the event for the last time and voiced anger when Nadal, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt and Marat Safin all withdrew in 2005.
The equivalent women's tournament in Doha has been hit by the double exits of Serena Williams and Ana Ivanovic due to a stomach injury and virus, renewing questions about the rigours of modern tennis. Federer forfeited his Paris Masters quarter-final against James Blake last week and admitted he was worried his back problem would flare up again.
"Maybe if I push too early in practice then I'm back to where I was last Thursday and then things are not looking good at all," he said. Del Potro has been bothered by a split big toenail since the US Open and was forced to pull out of last month's Vienna Open, beating only one top-10 player since.
The Argentine opens the tournament on Sunday against world number three Novak Djokovic, with France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga facing Nikolay Davydenko in the later match. On Monday, Federer plays Britain's Andy Murray and American Andy Roddick starts his campaign against Gilles Simon of France.
Tsonga, 23, had three months out injured this year but muscled into the draw with a surprise victory last week in Paris. "It's an amazing turnaround," he said. Roddick is playing for a fifth time and has reached three semi-finals.
The 'fifth Grand Slam,' featuring the top eight players, is making its fourth and final appearance at the futuristic Qi Zhong Stadium before moving to London as the ATP World Tour Final. Red Group: Roger Federer (SUI), Andy Murray (GBR), Andy Roddick (USA), Gilles Simon (FRA) Gold Group: Novak Djokovic (SRB), Nikolay Davydenko (RUS), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA), Juan Martin del Potro (ARG).
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