Federer pulls out of Halle after French Open defeat

HALLE, Germany, June 11 (Reuters) Roger Federer withdrew from this week's ATP tournament in Halle today, saying he wanted to avoid the risk of injury after his defeat by Rafael Nadal in yesterday's French Open final.

''In an attempt to prevent injury after the long final in Paris, I cannot defend my title at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle,'' the Swiss world number one wrote on his Web site, www.rogerfederer.com.

''I look forward to returning in 2008.'' Federer had been due to play Olivier Rochus in the first round of the grass-court tournament.

He has won the German grasscourt event for the past four years before going on to claim the Wimbledon crown on each occasion.

REUTERS TB ND1745