Feb 19th. Posted at 5 pm CET

"I am very disappointed not to be able to compete in Dubai but the doctor has advised me to stay home and rest after the pain I got on my knee in Rotterdam last week. It's nothing to be worried about but it needs some rest. I ask my fans and the tournament organizers to understand and I am sorry for this. Dubai is one of my favorite tournament, as you can tell, I have always liked playing there. The field is always great and more importantly the crowd is always very supportive of me. I expect to be back in competition the following week for the Davis Cup tie in Benidorm against Serbia and then traveling to Indian Wells and Miami".