As Rafael Nadal world number two Roger Federer will miss Switzerland's Davis Cup encounter against the United States in early March as well as next week's ATP event in Dubai as he recovers from a niggling back injury.
Federer said he had not had sufficient time to strengthen his back after hurting it last autumn and has therefore decided to skip the dates as a precautionary measure.
"I am disappointed to announce that I am withdrawing from both Dubai and the Davis Cup tie in the United States," Federer said.
"This was a hard decision to make as I am missing not only one of my favourite events on tour in Dubai, but also on an opportunity to help my country try and move on to the next round of the Davis Cup.
"After injuring my back last fall (autumn), I did not have enough time to strengthen it completely.
"As a precautionary measure, I will use the next few weeks to make sure the back injury is fully rehabilitated and I am ready for the rest of the 2009 season."
Federer will need to be in prime condition as he bids to wrest back the initiative from world number one Rafael Nadal, who reduced him to tears when he beat him in the Australian Open final last month.
The loss, his fifth on a roll to the Spaniard, ensured Federer must wait to equal Pete Sampras's record of 14 Grand Slams.
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