( CNN ) -- Roger Federer , hampered by a back injury in recent weeks , pulled out of the Rogers Cup in Montreal with the U.S. Open just around the corner . `` I am disappointed not to be playing in Montreal next week , '' Federer said in a tournament press release sent to CNN . `` It is a great tournament with amazing fans . I look forward to competing there in the future . '' Although no reason was given for his absence , Federer said after a surprise defeat to Daniel Brands in his native Switzerland last week that he had been having `` serious problems '' with the back and needed to take anti-inflammatory medication . The withdrawal continues a disappointing spell for the 17-time grand slam champion , who turns 32 on Aug. 8 . Federer appeared to be headed in the right direction going into Wimbledon when he won his first title of 2013 in Halle , Germany on grass . But Federer was upset in the second round by Sergiy Stakhovsky at the All England Club , marking the first time he failed to advance to the round of 32 at a major since 2003 . When the new rankings were released after Wimbledon , he dipped to No . 5 , his lowest position in 10 years . Federer decided to enter tournaments in Hamburg , Germany and Gstaad , Switzerland with a larger racquet -- a significant change for a tennis player -- but lost to opponents outside the top 100 and top 50 , respectively . `` A change like this is very important but I honestly ca n't tell right now due to my low level , '' Federer said in Gstaad , when asked about the new racquet . `` It 's hard to analyze anything . `` I still do n't have even enough information to try and explain . I have no clue where I am right now with the racquet change . '' If Federer plays at the U.S. Open -- which begins Aug. 26 -- he would participate in a 56th consecutive grand slam tournament , tying the men 's record in the Open era . As one double-digit grand slam winner skipped Montreal , another is set to return . Rafael Nadal arrived in the Canadian city having not played since a first-round loss to Steve Darcis at Wimbledon . Nadal has been troubled by his knees this season , despite winning the French Open in June . He returned to the tour early this year following a seven-month layoff . `` I will try to arrive competitive in Montreal because seven weeks without playing is n't ideal for competing in such a difficult tournament , '' Nadal was quoted as saying by the ATP 's website . `` But I 'll do everything possible for things to go well . '' Andy Murray plays his first tournament , too , since ending Britain 's 77-year wait for a men 's singles winner at Wimbledon . Novak Djokovic , Murray 's opponent in the Wimbledon final , is the top seed in Montreal .
Roger Federer pulls out of the Rogers Cup three weeks before the U.S. Open starts . Federer has been suffering from a back injury and almost pulled out of a tournament 2013 . The Montreal Open marks Federer 's last chance to win a grand slam tournament in last week . As Federer skips the Rogers Cup , Rafael Nadal is set to make his return in U.S. .