According to the newspaper I read this morning, it’s his 3rd withdrawal during a tournament in 1,225 matches (so I guess he withdrew before the start of a tournament on a few other occasions, which clearly isn’t as bad because you can usually draft in a replacement). A pretty impressive fitness record.
From the way he worded his apology (which I don’t doubt was heartfelt and sincere), I do think he had an eye on next weekend. He said something like that as a 33 year-old, it would be too risky for him to put his body through it. Which I take to mean that he could have played (perhaps with some painkilling injections?) but that would leave him shot for next week - and possibly, risking the rest of his career. But I think if this had been a slam final, with no big match to follow, he would have played.
For the record, I’m not criticising his decision (and the above is pure speculation in any case) - more sportsmen should probably put their health first more often. And we were treated to a first-to-eight set between Murray and Djokovic followed by an entertaining exhibition doubles instead, so it wasn’t a total loss (I wasn’t there, just watching on TV). The real shame is that Fed was clearly in excellent form and could perhaps have given Novak a run for his money.
The spectators got first refusal and a discount off the next year final and Andy murray was hastily drafted in at last minute to play a first-to-8 exhibition set with Novak, they also had a set of doubles with Murray/MacEnroe and Henman/Cash.
Fair play to the organisers, they did their best to entertain the crowds.
Yes, well done to Federer, and Wawrinka. Fed must have been particularly pleased at having the opportunity to score the winning point. He can now retire a happy man even if he has one or two more unsuccessful seasons. I still think he’ll win one more Slam - if Ivanisevic can do it… but did Goran have more motivation, perhaps? We will see. I wonder what the odds are on Fed winning another? I’d be tempted to have a punt, I think, but can’t look up betting sites where I am.
